The intersection of climate change and systemic barriers to water access poses significant challenges for farmers in South Africa. This highlights the need for sustainable resource management and policy reform.
Nosipho Vuthela, a crop farmer navigating these challenges in the Eastern Cape, has called attention to the critical role of water infrastructure in agricultural productivity. Her experience reveals the broader issues of climate resilience and the urgent need for equitable access to water resources.
“Depending on rainfall in crop production, it [water] is not enough because, as I mentioned before, climate change affects us so much. When the water is [low], when the rain is [low], the yield is affected, the uniformity of our production is affected, the quality also gets affected,” she said.
Navigating water rights
For black farmers like Vuthela, navigating the complex and time-intensive process of securing water rights has proven to be a significant barrier.
“When it comes to the whole construction, we went to water rights [department of water and sanitation], but the reality is this, the systems and protocols are very long and are not favourable for us as farmers because in farming you miss time, you miss harvest,” she explained.
Vuthela’s farm addressed water scarcity by constructing a borehole without prior registration or water testing, a move that highlights the systemic difficulties in accessing formal support systems.
“As Geldomsanga, we are in a position of improving by all means. By all means, we always prove ourselves that we are capable and we’ll do this,” she said.
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Hydro-geologist at AQUAffection, Imelda Mamba, contextualised these challenges within the broader Food-Water-Energy Nexus, which emphasises the interdependence of these sectors.
“The Food-Water-Energy Nexus is a framework that highlights the interconnectivity and interdependence of these critical sectors. This interconnectedness underlines the necessity of integration, collaboration, and active stakeholder engagement,” she explained.
Managing groundwater sustainably
According to Mamba, agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater consumption, making water management integral to agricultural productivity and land valuation.
“The value of agricultural properties is essentially tied to their access to water. Agricultural land with water is significantly more valuable than that without and even more so when accompanied by legal rights to access water.
“It is important for both the agricultural and water sectors to embrace a culture of sustainability, ensuring that best practices are adopted to meet the needs of current and future generations,” Mamba said.
Mamba discussed the broader implications of groundwater usage, a critical resource for agricultural resilience.
“Groundwater has transformed supposedly barren lands into productive agricultural hubs, contributing significantly to global food security and enabling farmworkers to sustain their livelihoods. It is a powerful symbol of resourcefulness.
“Despite its critical importance, groundwater is frequently overexploited and undervalued. Many users pay little or nothing for its use, undermining efforts to regulate it effectively,” Mamba said.
For South Africa’s agricultural sector, sustainable groundwater management and streamlined access to water rights are essential.
“As surface water resources dwindle, sustainably managed and regulated groundwater holds immense potential. It offers hope for uninterrupted economic growth, healthy agricultural production, and the sustenance of communities in desperate need of water to thrive,” she said.
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