should be geared towards better equity and
poverty reduction.
In Africa there is a potential of 43 million hectares
that can be irrigated but only 13 million hectares
are under irrigation. Figure 5 shows the trends
in the share of total cultivated area that was
equipped with irrigation facilities in the SADC
countries between 1990 and 2009 (FAO 2016).
It was found that throughout the SADC region,
only 8% of the cultivated area was equipped with
irrigation facilities. SADC member states need to
take serious measures to increase investment in
irrigation projects, to tap the potential of irrigation
to increase agricultural productivity and food
security, and reduce poverty.
Irrigated agriculture needs to perform better and
with higher productivity and efficiency to feed the
world and provide good livelihood to the farmers.
This situation requires that the irrigated agriculture
sector moves away from the ‘business-as-usual’
approach and adopts innovative, forward-looking
and effective governance to do more with less
water. It is even more important if the goal is
to achieve a sustainable water and food secure
future.
available to all and can ensure access to sufficient
food. Therefore, irrigated agriculture (if water is
available) is a mayor role-player to produce food
because the irrigated area in South Africa which is
only 10% of the cultivated area, provide more than
30% of the food to assist with food security.
Relevant references
FAO (2016a). AQUASTAT website. Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO).
FAO (2016b). FAOSTAT website. Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO).
Website Department of Water and Sanitation-
www.dws.gov.za
Website Kobus Botha weather- http://www.
weatherphotos.co.za/
World Bank (2015). Policy Research Note No.3:
Ending Extreme Poverty and Sharing Prosperity:
Progress and Policies, Oct. 4, 2015, Washington,
D.C., USA.
There have been large drops in production that
coincided with major droughts followed by periods
of recovery. But these recovery periods have not
been sufficient for food production to keep up with
population growth. This could become an area of
concern as it may have an impact on food security
in the region also.
KWALITEIT PRODUKTE TEEN BEKOSTIGBARE PRYSE
GEREGISTREERDE UITVOERDERS
In this regard the application of the correct
irrigation equipment and systems is imperative for
optimal food production and productivity
Agriculture is the key for rural development
and poverty reduction and water use for
food production is a value-adding process.
Irrigation play an important role in food security
because water is crucial to food production and
development and can ensure that enough food is
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