Johannesburg - Stakeholders have raised concerns that South
Africa would experience critical water shortage by 2050 if innovative
programmes are not urgently put in place, according to an article in the
Business Report.
Industry insiders said the agricultural sector would have to
find more innovative ways to reduce water usage while maintaining food
production.
Some experts pointed out that even though South Africa is a
water scarce country, millions of kilolitres are wasted every month due to
poor municipal infrastructure, the report said.
Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Rejoice
Mabudafhasi reportedly said independent research revealed that by 2050 there
would be no water left if changes were not made.
However, she said the
department had programmes in place for water conservation and water harvesting,
which could help avoid “the catastrophe of not having water by 2050”.
The agricultural sector uses the largest quantity of water,
consuming 60% of the water that is used economically.
However, this is still less than the international norm,
which stands at 63% to 65% of national use, according to the research.
AgriSA president Johannes Moller told Business Report about
25% of farm production relies on irrigation. It is labour intensive and
generates employment.
“If you take that away, we could lose 25% of food
production.”