By Dr Jennifer Balatedi Molwantwa, CEO, Water Research Commission (WRC)
As the CEO of the Water Research Commission, I have the privilege and the sobering responsibility of standing at the forefront of South Africa’s water future. Every day, I see how the availability and quality of this precious resource shape the strength of our economy, the health of our people, and the sustainability of our ecosystems. Nowhere is this reality more evident than in agriculture, where water quite literally feeds our nation.
South Africa is one of the driest countries on earth, and the stresses on our water systems are mounting. Climate change is amplifying droughts and floods. Much of our infrastructure is outdated or poorly maintained. Inefficient usage patterns persist across sectors. Together, these forces are pushing us toward a critical tipping point.
Agriculture which is the backbone of food security and rural livelihoods, consumes between 60% and 62% of South Africa’s water resources. Unless we act decisively, escalating pressures could undermine food production, rural jobs, and the stability of entire communities. Water demand already exceeds supply, and if current trends continue, it could outstrip availability by as much as 17% by 2030. For farmers in Limpopo, the Free State, or the Western Cape, these statistics translate into real-world challenges: harder planting decisions, higher input costs, and vulnerability to ever-intensifying drought cycles.
From scarcity to sustainability: A new agricultural mindset
I remain deeply optimistic because I have seen what is possible when innovation meets determination. Across our country, farmers and agri-businesses are already proving that resilience is within reach.
Indigenous, drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum, millet, cowpeas, and groundnuts retain up to 70% of their yield potential in extended drought conditions, reducing dependency on high-input, water-thirsty imports. Regenerative agriculture techniques including no-till farming, cover cropping, mulching, and composting are improving soil health, locking in moisture, and restoring degraded land.
Meanwhile, technology is transforming how we grow food. Advanced irrigation systems like centre pivots, drip lines, and smart web-based platforms are dramatically improving efficiency compared to traditional flood irrigation. Digital tools from soil sensors to AI-powered satellite monitoring allow real-time water management, leak detection, and predictive planning that help farmers stay ahead of risk.
These success stories are more than experiments; they are blueprints for a water-wise future. But they will only achieve their full potential if we scale them across the entire agricultural value chain. That requires more than technical solutions, it calls for a cultural and operational shift in how we view and use water.
A WaterWise Nation: Driving change together
This is the driving force behind A WaterWise Nation, the WRC’s flagship campaign to inspire action and equip industries, particularly agriculture with the knowledge and tools to make smart water decisions. The campaign supports the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan and aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but at its heart lies a simple, urgent message: water security is everyone’s business.
A WaterWise Nation promotes three clear imperatives:
- Smart water use is smart business. Efficient irrigation, crop diversification, and water recycling are not just environmentally responsible, they cut costs and safeguard livelihoods.
- Collaboration is key. Farmers, policymakers, researchers, and communities must share lessons, scale innovation, and build networks of resilience.
- Every drop counts. Whether you manage a commercial farm, a smallholding, or a household garden, mindful water management contributes to national water security.
Securing the future
Change management is no longer optional. It is an investment in the long-term survival of agriculture, the prosperity of rural communities, and the preservation of our natural heritage.
For decision-makers in agribusiness, this means embedding water stewardship into corporate strategy and operations. For farmers, it means experimenting with new crops, adopting precision irrigation, and protecting soil as a living reservoir. For policymakers and researchers, it means aligning incentives, regulations, and research agendas to accelerate uptake of proven solutions.
We must also recognise that water security is not just about supply. It is about equity, efficiency, and governance. It is about ensuring that the most vulnerable like smallholders, women farmers, and rural youth have access to knowledge, resources, and opportunities to thrive in a changing climate.
I believe that South Africa can rise to this challenge. We have the talent, the innovation, and the resilience to secure our agricultural future. But we must act decisively and collaboratively. The cost of inaction is far too high: reduced harvests, lost jobs, weakened exports, and fragile ecosystems.
I invite every player in our agricultural landscape from cooperatives and commodity groups to large-scale producers and technology providers to join us in building a water-wise legacy. Let us make stewardship part of our identity as farmers, researchers, and policymakers.
Visit www.wrc.org.za , explore the resources offered by A WaterWise Nation, and take the first steps toward embedding water-wise practices in your work. Together, we can act today and sustain tomorrow.
Water security is not a distant concern. It is a choice we make daily, in our fields, in our businesses, and in our homes. The time to lead is now.
