The Department of Water and Sanitation met with AGRI-SA recently to discuss a way forward for the agricultural sector to deal with the challenges created by the debilitating drought engulfing the Western Cape.

While the general consensus was that the agricultural sector plays a critical role in the economy, water conservation was still a high priority especially since the sector uses the bulk of all available water supplies.

Minister of water and sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane noted that there is a dire need for inclusive interventions that reduce the pressure from the agricultural sector as the situation is currently not positive and will likely remain that way for the foreseeable future.

“There is a need for all to comply with the restrictions in place for better water use. We have to find one another for more cooperation and appreciation of the critical stage the province is in and the possibility of the movement towards Day Zero,” she said.

Compliance a non-negotiable

AGRI-SA President Dan Kriek said that compliance is a non-negotiable. “The economic impact across the board will be immense if no water is available for the sector, with a resultant social impact too.  There is therefore a need to keep this sector of the economy alive, he explained.

Kriek added: “As AGRI-SA we agree with the need for enforcement, illegal irrigators will also not be defended. We need to be cognisant of the 100 000 jobs lost over the last year, with a potential for this to increase.

“We are also concerned about unauthorised water use; we therefore take the issue of verification very seriously. Minister, we wish to assure you that all support from AGRI-SA will be availed. We will use all our platforms and means to send the necessary messages to the farmers.