World Food Day is celebrated globally today. With the theme “water is life, water is food, leave no one behind”, South African farmers have been urged to use this precious natural resource sparingly considering the country’s serious challenges of availability that have led some municipalities to implement shedding.
Meanwhile, South Africa is still battling with issues of water licenses and access in the agricultural sector.
Water Research Commission (WRC) chief executive Jennifer Molwantwa told Food For Mzansi that in South Africa, the agricultural sector uses over 60% of the available freshwater resources amid being a water-scarce country.
Sustainable solutions needed
She said while water was a critical component in the agricultural space, it is important that it is used in a way that would ensure sustainability. South Africa is the 30th driest country in the world, she added.
“The role of it in food systems cannot be overemphasised. Agriculture accounts for about 72% of global freshwater withdrawals, mainly for irrigation.
“Projections for South Africa indicate that agricultural productivity will need to double from current production levels by the year 2050 to feed a projected population of about 80 million people in the same period,” she said.
Molantwa said with the data at hand there is an urgent need to produce more food and other essential agricultural commodities with less water while ensuring equitable resource distribution.
“So, we need to make sure that aquatic food systems are preserved, and no one is left behind.
“Innovative and sustainable irrigation technologies can mitigate environmental damage, reduce water and energy use, and support sustainable transitions for climate-resilient agriculture.”
She added that her team and other stakeholders have been leading research, development and innovations that enhance productivity, livelihoods, gender and social inclusion and food systems transformation.
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No proper backup systems
Meanwhile, Mzansi farmers have said there is little to celebrate World Food Day as water is among one of the biggest headaches in their operations.
Limpopo-based macadamia farmer Lutendo Maumela said there is no farming without water, and access to water is important.
“Water is life – not just in agriculture, but the entire universe revolves around it. In agriculture, there are plants that can’t go two days without it while others can go a week without water. But in the end, all plants depend on this resource before other things.
“No water no plant, and no plant no oxygen – so we don’t just drink water but breathe water, so water is another word for life,” she said.
North West livestock farmer Tumelo Ngakanyane said rural communities are still battling with access, making farming in deep rural areas a challenge.
“As a farmer, I use water every day. My cows and my plants depend on it, and so do my workers.
“However, we are facing challenges because boreholes usually break down, meaning our cattle can spend few days without drinking and sometimes during that time there is no rain forcing the farmer to make a plan,” he said.
The threat of veld fires
Ngakanyane said he is farming in the area where veld fires are occurring regularly so having boreholes that are not working, is a big risk they face as farmers in the area.
“Scarcity does not only cause problems for good livestock production the livestock to have good production, on days of veld fires with water not being available means that the whole operations are likely to be gutted by fire. We do not have much rain so it means no water stored in tanks or somewhere. Water is extremely an important element we cannot go without on a farm,” he said.
According to Dr Ferrial Adam, an environmental justice activist from WaterCan, as a country, we have to be more mindful of both the quantity and quality of water.
“We need to develop better and improved ways of saving, reusing and recycling, it is everyone’s responsibility. As much as people need to save, government must also be proactive.
“For example, the government should target its leaks and failing wastewater treatment works and people need to respect and conserve water. It is unacceptable that the biggest waster and polluter is government and then they say demand is high,” she said.
Rethinking how to produce food
Adam said climate change is demanding that everyone re-think how to produce food in a conservative manner. “A huge concern is the amount of sewage flowing in our rivers and streams. This is what is being used to irrigate crops big and small.
“We need to become a society that does not wait for a crisis but will save as the norm. Unfortunately, circumstance is going to demand that this is how we deal with shortages,” she said.
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