Magzter GOLDで無制限に
10,000以上の雑誌、新聞、プレミアム記事に無制限にアクセスできます。
試す 金 - 無料
The wise use of water in agriculture
Farmer's Weekly
|March 28, 2025
As South Africa is a water-scarce country, it is critical for all water users to prioritise the protection of this precious resource. However, water is also a key economic enabler in the agriculture sector. Magda du Toit spoke to industry experts about the regulated use of water in agriculture.
-
If you own land and have access to a water resource, you do not automatically have the right to use that water. According to the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998), or NWA, users need approval from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) by general authorisation or by obtaining a water-use licence to use water from natural sources.
WATER-USE LICENCE APPLICATION PROCESS
According to the DWS, three steps are needed to obtain a licence. The steps are set out on its website and aim to test the application against the principle of beneficial use in the public interest, and specifically against Section 27 of the NWA. The steps are as follows:
• Pre-application process. During this step, the DWS determines and advises the applicant on the information required to compile a water-use licence application technical report to support the application.
• Screening. This is the screening of the technical report, resulting in the acceptance or rejection thereof.
• Processing and finalisation. The application for a water-use licence can now be submitted to the regional office of the DWS. The office will charge a licence processing fee and will conduct an assessment, whereafter the applicant will be informed if the application was successful or not.
During processing, the information in the technical report is evaluated by specialist groups, after which a recommendation will be sent to the delegated authority to make the final decision on whether to approve the application or not. According to the DWS’s website, an application for a water-use licence can take up to 90 days to process, taking into consideration the complexity of the application, benefits to the nation, as well as possible impacts.
ENSURE LEGAL WATER USE
このストーリーは、Farmer's Weekly の March 28, 2025 版からのものです。
Magzter GOLD を購読すると、厳選された何千ものプレミアム記事や、10,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスできます。
すでに購読者ですか? サインイン
Farmer's Weekly からのその他のストーリー
Farmer's Weekly
Pastry delights and cupcakes
The versatility of pastry in baking and cooking is best flaunted by two vastly different recipes appealing to the sweet and savoury tooth, while a novel way to bake those Christmas-themed cupcakes will also go down well.
4 mins
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Specialised spider-hunting wasps
Wasps are apex predators of the insect world and have developed many survival strategies. One group of wasps focuses on hunting spiders to provide a source of food for their larval offspring
2 mins
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
From bulls to boardrooms: farming part-time as a professional
Maintaining a farm requires time, resources, and commitment. Farming part-time while being fully employed elsewhere can seem daunting and risky. Although it certainly presents unique challenges, it is feasible for some. Koot Klopper and Herman van Heerden spoke to Henning Naudé about how excellent time management and the delegation of resources, as part-time farmers, successfully keep their farms productive.
5 mins
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Holy Shiitake: mastering the science of gourmet fungi
Mushroom production is inherently the practice of expanding mycelium. But since wanted and unwanted fungi flourish under the same circumstances, a mushroom farmer's biggest challenge is ensuring the right fungi prevails. Lindi Botha reports on Rory Brooks' learning curve.
9 mins
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
No more 'secret' price hikes?
'Secret' electricity price hikes in South Africa have been curbed in a game-changing court ruling, explains Felix Dube, lecturer in the Department of Law at the University of Venda.
4 mins
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The cutworm scourge, and how to control it
The dominant cutworm, Agrotis segetum, is causing renewed, costly damage to South African maize, soya bean, and sunflower.
5 mins
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Legislative gap requires a rethink on biosecurity controls
Since the dawn of democracy, the agriculture sector has cemented its place as one of the essential and trusted pillars for economic growth, job creation, and foreign earnings in South Africa.
2 mins
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
From kitchen experiments to a thriving meat empire
What started as an after-hours kitchen project in the Truter household has grown into the fully fledged meat empire Deli-Co. Brothers Pieter and Hendri Truter told Glenneis Kriel how they turned a local favourite into a multigenerational family business.
7 mins
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Brushing up on your 'cow speak'
Experienced stockman and cattle judge Willie de Jager spoke to Sabrina Dean about some of the basics of reading cattle behaviour and how best to handle these animals.
8 mins
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Corporate day job fuels farming dream
Marius Smit lives in the middle of Gauteng in Centurion and spends his workdays in the fast-paced high-stress corporate sector as a group forensic head for Discovery.
5 mins
December 5-12, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size