IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/h/ags/iwmibc/339131.html
   My bibliography  Save this book chapter

Advances in water research: enhancing sustainable water use in irrigated agriculture in South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Nhamo, L.
  • Mpandeli, S.
  • Liphadzi, S.
  • Hlophe-Ginindza, S.
  • Kapari, M.
  • Molwantwa, J.
  • Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe

Abstract

Water scarcity has become one of the greatest challenges facing humankind today. Its scarcity is compounded by climate change and increasing demand from a growing population. In South Africa, over 60% of the available freshwater resources are used in agriculture, mainly in irrigated agriculture. There is an urgent need to promote sustainable irrigation technologies that optimize food production without increasing water applied and with positive environmental spinoffs. Sustainable irrigation technologies and practices could enhance water use efficiency (WUE) and productivity in agriculture and reduce environmental burdens, including energy use. This chapter highlights some of the innovative irrigation practices and technologies that enhance food production and, at the same time, reduce water use in agriculture. The chapter broadly discusses WUE and water productivity (WP) in irrigated agriculture from engineering and agronomic perspectives. The chapter further highlights some of the environmental impacts of irrigation expansion and the possible solutions. We further provide the importance of accurate spatial information on irrigated areas to inform policy on irrigation expansion. The Water Research Commission (WRC) of South Africa has been spearheading research on the sustainable use of water for the past 50 years as part of its research agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Nhamo, L. & Mpandeli, S. & Liphadzi, S. & Hlophe-Ginindza, S. & Kapari, M. & Molwantwa, J. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2023. "Advances in water research: enhancing sustainable water use in irrigated agriculture in South Africa," Book Chapters,, International Water Management Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iwmibc:339131
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.339131
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/339131/files/H051822.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.22004/ag.econ.339131?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mabhaudhi, T. & Mpandeli, S. & Nhamo, Luxon & Chimonyo, V. G. P. & Nhemachena, Charles & Senzanje, A. & Naidoo, D. & Modi, A. T., 2018. "Prospects for improving irrigated agriculture in Southern Africa: linking water, energy and food," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 10(12):1-16.
    2. van Halsema, Gerardo E. & Vincent, Linden, 2012. "Efficiency and productivity terms for water management: A matter of contextual relativism versus general absolutism," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 9-15.
    3. Molden, David & Oweis, Theib & Steduto, Pasquale & Bindraban, Prem & Hanjra, Munir A. & Kijne, Jacob, 2010. "Improving agricultural water productivity: Between optimism and caution," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(4), pages 528-535, April.
    4. Nhamo, L. & Mpandeli, S. & Liphadzi, S. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2022. "Securing land and water for food production through sustainable land reform: a nexus planning perspective," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-11(7):974.
    5. Dhesigen Naidoo & Luxon Nhamo & Shenelle Lottering & Sylvester Mpandeli & Stanley Liphadzi & Albert T. Modi & Cristina Trois & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2021. "Transitional Pathways towards Achieving a Circular Economy in the Water, Energy, and Food Sectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, September.
    6. Amelia Clarke & Andrew Crane, 2018. "Cross-Sector Partnerships for Systemic Change: Systematized Literature Review and Agenda for Further Research," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 150(2), pages 303-313, June.
    7. Kibret, S. & McCartney, Matthew & Lautze, Jonathan & Nhamo, Luxon & Yan, G., 2021. "The impact of large and small dams on malaria transmission in four basins in Africa," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-11:13355..
    8. Natanya Meyer & Christelle Auriacombe, 2019. "Good Urban Governance and City Resilience: An Afrocentric Approach to Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-18, October.
    9. Nhamo, Luxon & Ndlela, B. & Nhemachena, Charles & Mabhaudhi, T. & Mpandeli, S. & Matchaya, Greenwell, 2018. "The water-energy-food nexus: climate risks and opportunities in southern Africa," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 10(5):1-18..
    10. Magidi, J. & van Koppen, Barbara & Nhamo, L. & Mpandeli, S. & Slotow, R. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2021. "Informing equitable water and food policies through accurate spatial information on irrigated areas in smallholder farming systems," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-13(24):36.
    11. Nhamo, L. & Mabhaudhi, T. & Mpandeli, S. & Dickens, Chris & Nhemachena, C. & Senzanje, A. & Naidoo, D. & Liphadzi, S. & Modi, A. T., 2020. "An integrative analytical model for the water-energy-food nexus: South Africa case study," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 109:15-124..
    12. Fernández, J.E. & Alcon, F. & Diaz-Espejo, A. & Hernandez-Santana, V. & Cuevas, M.V., 2020. "Water use indicators and economic analysis for on-farm irrigation decision: A case study of a super high density olive tree orchard," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    13. Levidow, Les & Zaccaria, Daniele & Maia, Rodrigo & Vivas, Eduardo & Todorovic, Mladen & Scardigno, Alessandra, 2014. "Improving water-efficient irrigation: Prospects and difficulties of innovative practices," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 84-94.
    14. Mpandeli, S. & Naidoo, D. & Mabhaudhi, T. & Nhemachena, Charles & Nhamo, Luxon & Liphadzi, S. & Hlahla, S. & Modi, A. T., "undated". "Climate change adaptation through the water-energy-food nexus in southern Africa," Papers published in Journals (Open Access) H048960, International Water Management Institute.
    15. Luxon Nhamo & James Magidi & Adolph Nyamugama & Alistair D. Clulow & Mbulisi Sibanda & Vimbayi G. P. Chimonyo & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2020. "Prospects of Improving Agricultural and Water Productivity through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sylvester Mpandeli & Luxon Nhamo & Sithabile Hlahla & Dhesigen Naidoo & Stanley Liphadzi & Albert Thembinkosi Modi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2020. "Migration under Climate Change in Southern Africa: A Nexus Planning Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-14, June.
    2. Zhou, Qing & Zhang, Yali & Wu, Feng, 2021. "Evaluation of the most proper management scale on water use efficiency and water productivity: A case study of the Heihe River Basin, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    3. Naidoo, Dhesigen & Nhamo, Luxon & Mpandeli, Sylvester & Sobratee, Nafisa & Senzanje, Aidan & Liphadzi, Stanley & Slotow, Rob & Jacobson, Michael & Modi, Albert T. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2021. "Operationalising the water-energy-food nexus through the theory of change," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    4. Wang, Rong & Huang, Guanhua & Xu, Xu & Ren, Dongyang & Gou, Jiachao & Wu, Zhangsheng, 2022. "Significant differences in agro-hydrological processes and water productivity between canal- and well-irrigated areas in an arid region," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    5. Joel O. Botai & Christina M. Botai & Katlego P. Ncongwane & Sylvester Mpandeli & Luxon Nhamo & Muthoni Masinde & Abiodun M. Adeola & Michael G. Mengistu & Henerica Tazvinga & Miriam D. Murambadoro & S, 2021. "A Review of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus Research in Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-26, February.
    6. Dhesigen Naidoo & Luxon Nhamo & Shenelle Lottering & Sylvester Mpandeli & Stanley Liphadzi & Albert T. Modi & Cristina Trois & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2021. "Transitional Pathways towards Achieving a Circular Economy in the Water, Energy, and Food Sectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, September.
    7. Fernández, J.E. & Alcon, F. & Diaz-Espejo, A. & Hernandez-Santana, V. & Cuevas, M.V., 2020. "Water use indicators and economic analysis for on-farm irrigation decision: A case study of a super high density olive tree orchard," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    8. De Angelis, Paolo & Tuninetti, Marta & Bergamasco, Luca & Calianno, Luca & Asinari, Pietro & Laio, Francesco & Fasano, Matteo, 2021. "Data-driven appraisal of renewable energy potentials for sustainable freshwater production in Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    9. Magidi, J. & van Koppen, Barbara & Nhamo, L. & Mpandeli, S. & Slotow, R. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2021. "Informing equitable water and food policies through accurate spatial information on irrigated areas in smallholder farming systems," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-13(24):36.
    10. Mabhaudhi, T. & Nhamo, Luxon & Mpandeli, S. & Nhemachena, Charles & Senzanje, A. & Sobratee, N. & Chivenge, P. P. & Slotow, R. & Naidoo, D. & Liphadzi, S. & Modi, A. T., 2019. "The water–energy–food nexus as a tool to transform rural livelihoods and well-being in southern Africa," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 16(16):1-20.
    11. Luxon Nhamo & Sylvester Mpandeli & Stanley Liphadzi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2022. "Securing Land and Water for Food Production through Sustainable Land Reform: A Nexus Planning Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, June.
    12. Caretta, Martina Angela, 2015. "Managing variability and scarcity. An analysis of Engaruka: A Maasai smallholder irrigation farming community," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 318-330.
    13. Bopp, Carlos & Jara-Rojas, Roberto & Bravo-Ureta, Boris & Engler, Alejandra, 2022. "Irrigation water use, shadow values and productivity: Evidence from stochastic production frontiers in vineyards," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    14. Yildirim, Demet & Cemek, Bilal & Unlukara, Ali, 2022. "The effect of mulched ridge and furrow micro catchment water harvesting on red pepper yield and quality features in Bafra Plain of Northern Turkey," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    15. Ghahroodi, E. Mokari & Noory, H. & Liaghat, A.M., 2015. "Performance evaluation study and hydrologic and productive analysis of irrigation systems at the Qazvin irrigation network (Iran)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 189-195.
    16. Nhamo, Luxon & Matchaya, Greenwell & Mabhaudhi, T. & Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso & Nhemachena, Charles & Mpandeli, S., "undated". "Cereal production trends under climate change: impacts and adaptation strategies in Southern Africa," Papers published in Journals (Open Access) H049086, International Water Management Institute.
    17. Geries, L.S.M. & El-Shahawy, T.A. & Moursi, E.A., 2021. "Cut-off irrigation as an effective tool to increase water-use efficiency, enhance productivity, quality and storability of some onion cultivars," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    18. Lankford, Bruce, 2012. "Fictions, fractions, factorials and fractures; on the framing of irrigation efficiency," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 27-38.
    19. Luxon Nhamo & Bekithemba Ndlela & Sylvester Mpandeli & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2020. "The Water-Energy-Food Nexus as an Adaptation Strategy for Achieving Sustainable Livelihoods at a Local Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.
    20. Tomaz, Alexandra & Palma, José Ferro & Ramos, Tiago & Costa, Maria Natividade & Rosa, Elizabete & Santos, Marta & Boteta, Luís & Dôres, José & Patanita, Manuel, 2021. "Yield, technological quality and water footprints of wheat under Mediterranean climate conditions: A field experiment to evaluate the effects of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization strategies," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:ags:iwmibc:339131. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: AgEcon Search (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/iwmiclk.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.