'n Ontleding van die verwagte effek van die nuwe waterwet op besproeiingslandbou in die Breeriviergebied

Date
1999-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY: This assignment investigates the potential impact of the new Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, on irrigated agriculture in the Breede River area in the Western Cape Provence. The investigation was done with a systems approach, and the following aspects were addressed: a) The geographic context of the investigation is described with particular reference to the physical environment, economic activities, demography and water management. b) A review of water management in 14 other countries is given and conclusions are drawn regarding world tendencies in water legislation and management. c) A comparison between Act 54 of 1956 and Act 36 of 1998 is done in order to arrive at a better understanding of the changes caused by the new Act. d) The role of irrigated agriculture is defined as a part of a bigger system. e) The perceptions of individuals involved in irrigated agriculture in the study area are investigated by means of an opinion survey. f) Conclusions are drawn from the different investigations. The main findings are as follows: a) Existing South African water legislation was no longer il1 keeping with world tendencies. However after the review, the new Water Act is probably one of the most modern water acts in existence. b) The new Water Act will have an influence on the value of agricultural land in the study area. c) The efficiency of use of irrigation water will be improved. d) Investor confidence regarding investment in agriculture in the Breede River area, will be improved as a consequence of the new act. e). The Water Act will lead to an improvement in water quality in the middle and lower Breede River. f) The new act creates a more equitable system of water allocation. The basic conclusions of the investigation on the expected impact of the new Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, on irrigated agriculture in the Breede River area are as follows: (i) In the short term the changes resulting from the new act, will reduce the rate of development as a result of the uncertainties caused by the process of change. (ii) In the longer term the new Water Act will have more benefits than disadvantages for irrigated agriculture in the Breede River area.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie werkstuk word die verwagte impak van die nuwe Waterwet, Wet 36 van 1998, op besproeiingslandbou in die Breeriviergebied in die Wes-Kaap Provinsie ondersoek. Die ondersoek is met en stelselbenadering gedoen en die volgende aspekte is aangespreek: a) Die geografiese konteks van die ondersoek is geskets met verwysing na die fisiese omgewing, ekonomiese aktiwiteite, demografie en waterbestuur. b) 'n Oorsig oor waterbestuur in 14 ander lande is gegee en gevolgtrekkings gemaak t. o. v. wereld-tendense in waterbestuur en waterwetgewing. c) 'n Vergelyking is tussen Wet 54, 1956 en Wet 36, 1998 getref ten einde die veranderings wat die nuwe Waterwet sal te weeg bring, beter te verstaan. d) Besproeiingslandbou se plek in die groter stelsel(s) waarvan dit deel is, is beskryf. e) Die persepsies van belanghebbers in besproeiingslandbou in die Breerivier-gebied is ondersoek met behulp van 'n meningsopname. f) Die insigte waartoe die voorafgaande aspekte gelei het, is in en gevolgtrekking saamgevat. Die hoof bevindings van die ondersoek was 5005 volg: a) Dit was duidelik dat Suid-Afrikaanse Waterwetgewing tot voor die hersiening, nie meer in pas was met wat elders in die weteld gebeur nie. Die nuwe Waterwet is egter nou een van die mees modeme waterwette ter wereld. b) Die nuwe Waterwet sal wei 'n verandering in die waarde van landbougrond in die Breeriviergebied te weeg bring. c) Die effektiwiteit van benutting van besproeiingswater sal verhoog. d) Beleggersvertroue t.o.v. beleggings in landbou in die Breeriviergebied sal deur die wet versterk word. e) Die wet sal uiteindelik 'n verbetering in waterkwaliteit in die middel- en laer- Breeriviertot gevolg he. f) Die wet stel 'n meer regverdige watertoewysingstelsel in plek. Die basiese gevolgtrekking van hierdie ondersoek na die verwagte impak van die Waterwet (Wet 36, 1998) op besproeiing in die Breeriviergebied kan soos volg gestel word: (i) In die kort termyn sal die veranderings wat die nuweWaterwet tot gevolg het en gaan he, die tempo van besproeiingsontwikkeling laat afneem, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van die onsekerheid wat met die proses van verandering gepaardgaan. (ii) In die lang termyn sal die nuwe Waterwet meer voordele as nadele vir besproeiingslandbou in die Breeriviergebied inhou.
Description
Study project (M.Phil.)--University of Stellenbosch, 1999.
Keywords
Water-supply -- South Africa -- Breede River Valley, Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Breede River Valley, Dissertations -- Agricultural economics
Citation