DIE RELATIEWE WINSGEWENDHEID VAN SEKERE ALTERNATIEWE BESPROEIINGSTELSELS IN DIE VAALHARTSBESPROEHNGSGEBIED / The relative profitability of certain alternative irrigation systems in the Vaalharts irrigation area

Abstract Due to a lack of reliable and simple procedures for the economic evaluation of various irrigation systems, irrigation farmers often make incorrect decisions when selecting irrigation systems. The aim of this article is to illustrate how factors which are important in this matter can be combined to make sensible calculations. Two typical farming units and five irrigation systems were used as basis. Data was processed by means of a deterministic micro-computer model. Specific factors which were considered are the system type, initial debt and irrigation water availability. The economic and financial viability of each combination are discussed. Stochastic dominance is used to calculate the risk-efficiency of the various systems. Results show that income is the most critical factor in such an evaluation. Water restrictions increase the relative profitability of capital intensive systems with a higher irrigation efficiency.