Agriculture is an important part of the income of the Western Cape specifically and thus the problems of excessive usage and pollution are not easily solved. Over time we will need to see a paradigm shift were proper farming practices are valued over increasing profits.
WaterSmart Strives to
1. Advocate the benefits of responsible farming practices by encouraging the installation of Micro-irrigation systems.
Approximately 60 percent of water used for irrigation is wasted. Micro-irrigators such as drip irrigators can be more expensive to install, but can also be 33 percent to 40 percent more efficient, saving money in decreased operational costs in the long term and carrying water or fertilizers directly to plants’ roots. More precise doses of fertilizers and pesticides also save money, can improve crop quality and prevent excesses running off into rivers.
2. Apply tailored water restrictions.
If the 'shift' is not seen austerity measures will need to be put in place to limit the supply of water over a certain amount stipulated and tailored to each of the major farmers . If transgressed farmers will be liable to pay a fine. Moreover we will strive to raise awareness for the benefits of sustainable farming practices. Farmers who pay for the amount of water they apply to their fields, not the amount consumed by crops will save money when faced by the limited supplies and have an incentive to adopt more efficient techniques, such as drip irrigation, to make use of every possible drop on their farms.
WaterSmart Strives to
1. Advocate the benefits of responsible farming practices by encouraging the installation of Micro-irrigation systems.
Approximately 60 percent of water used for irrigation is wasted. Micro-irrigators such as drip irrigators can be more expensive to install, but can also be 33 percent to 40 percent more efficient, saving money in decreased operational costs in the long term and carrying water or fertilizers directly to plants’ roots. More precise doses of fertilizers and pesticides also save money, can improve crop quality and prevent excesses running off into rivers.
2. Apply tailored water restrictions.
If the 'shift' is not seen austerity measures will need to be put in place to limit the supply of water over a certain amount stipulated and tailored to each of the major farmers . If transgressed farmers will be liable to pay a fine. Moreover we will strive to raise awareness for the benefits of sustainable farming practices. Farmers who pay for the amount of water they apply to their fields, not the amount consumed by crops will save money when faced by the limited supplies and have an incentive to adopt more efficient techniques, such as drip irrigation, to make use of every possible drop on their farms.
Well managed soil systems with better nutrient retentive abilities, greatly reduce the risk of groundwater pollution. In some areas where pollution is a real problem, inter-cropping and cover-cropping is highly encouraged as a restorative measure to increase soil health and ensure that every drop of water is used effectively.
WaterSmart aims to undertake a pilot study to determine the efficacy in the Westlake river area by implementing both the water restriction and the facilitation of conversion to drip instigators and cover crops. The money obtained from farmers exceeding the water limit will be used to subsidise the micro-irrigators and the promotion of other responsible farming practices. If this test is successful we will roll it out to the rest of the Cape Town Area.
WaterSmart is striving to help Farmers conserve water to ensure that access to irrigation water remains sustainable. Successful reductions of 10–20% are often achieved during drought restriction periods, and the latest objective is to make water-saving behaviour a way of life in the long term. The best reason to conserve water and not use more than you need is because it saves money but we will subsidise the initial purchase and installation of drip irrigators. We cannot do this without the help and support of government and agricultural businesses.
WaterSmart aims to undertake a pilot study to determine the efficacy in the Westlake river area by implementing both the water restriction and the facilitation of conversion to drip instigators and cover crops. The money obtained from farmers exceeding the water limit will be used to subsidise the micro-irrigators and the promotion of other responsible farming practices. If this test is successful we will roll it out to the rest of the Cape Town Area.
WaterSmart is striving to help Farmers conserve water to ensure that access to irrigation water remains sustainable. Successful reductions of 10–20% are often achieved during drought restriction periods, and the latest objective is to make water-saving behaviour a way of life in the long term. The best reason to conserve water and not use more than you need is because it saves money but we will subsidise the initial purchase and installation of drip irrigators. We cannot do this without the help and support of government and agricultural businesses.