The transformation of irrigation boards into water user associations in South Africa. Volume 2, case studies of the Umlaas, Komati, Lomati and herford irrigation boards

Faysse Nicolas, Gumbo Jabulani. 2004. The transformation of irrigation boards into water user associations in South Africa. Volume 2, case studies of the Umlaas, Komati, Lomati and herford irrigation boards. Colombo : IWMI, 57 p. (Working paper : IWMI, 73) ISBN 92-9090-559-X

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Résumé : In South Africa, the 1998 National Water Act launched an in-depth reform of water resource management. At the local level, all the Irrigation Boards (IBs), which used to be managed by large-scale farmers, are to be transformed into Water User Associations (WUAs). These WUAs are expected to incorporate all users in the defined area of jurisdiction, whether they have a formal water entitlement or not. It is believed that this transformation will enable better participation of historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs) in the management of water resources. It will also provide a basis for improving local integrated management of water resources. The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in cooperation with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), undertook a research program on this transformation. The main objective of the research was to understand the constraints and opportunities of the transformation, with regard to the goal of meeting HDIs' water-related needs. A secondary objective was to assess the role of these new WUAs in local integrated water resource management. This paper presents three case studies of IBs that have not yet been transformed into WUAs. The case studies constitute the background information for the research report entitled An assessment of small-scale users' inclusion in large-scale Water User Associations in South Africa (Faysse, forthcoming 2004). The first case study deals with the Umlaas IB in KwaZulu-Natal. This Board manages water use in the upper part of the Mlazi River catchment. Around 4,000 ha are irrigated, mainly to produce maize and sugar cane. Times of water scarcity are rare. Slopes in the upper parts of the catchment are steep and the IB along with the upstream rural communities and commercial forestry companies, have undertaken several initiatives to address erosion problems in the area, with the cooperation of these companies. The second case study relates to the Komati and Lomati IBs in Mpumalanga. The irrigated area of around 21,000 ha is mainly dedicated to sugarcane farming. It hosts the largest area of small-scale irrigation farming in South Africa, but periods of water scarcity are frequent. While the IBs have not transformed into WUAs yet, they have already incorporated the emerging farmers in their area of jurisdiction, as well as in the management of water. The third case study assesses the Hereford IB in Mpumalanga. The Board manages an earthen canal, mainly for citrus and wheat farming, on a total area of 3,400 ha. Small-scale farmers have settled on an abandoned commercial farm, and the current upgrading of the emerging farmers' scheme and the setting-up of water meters open the way for the meaningful integration of the emerging farmers in the forthcoming WUA.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : utilisation de l'eau, étude de cas, gestion des eaux, aménagement de bassin versant, affectation de ressources, irrigation, association d'agriculteurs

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Afrique du Sud

Mots-clés complémentaires : Association d'usagers de l'eau

Classification Agris : E20 - Organisation, administration et gestion des entreprises ou exploitations agricoles
F06 - Irrigation

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