Water

Effective soil management is essential for boosting farming productivity, supporting crop health, enhancing water retention, and maintaining ecosystem balance. Within the SIZA Environmental Standard, soil management is key in ensuring farm sustainability and audit compliance. While soil enhancement practices can be adapted based on specific conditions, common techniques such as soil health assessments, erosion control, nutrient management, and minimising compaction are widely used to promote soil health and prevent degradation.

Alien plant species are introduced, intentionally or unintentionally, to an area where they do not naturally occur. Once these species begin to spread and establish themselves beyond their initial point of introduction, they are classified as invasive alien plant (IAP) species.

As a producer in South Africa, staying ahead in the highly competitive agricultural sector requires more than just a green thumb. It demands a deep understanding of your farm’s operations and a strategic approach to planning for the upcoming season.

 Water is a finite resource, meaning that it cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with consumption.

Over the last three years, 1 303 SIZA members decided to closely monitor and manage their water practices. Two hundred and thirty-three of these members agreed to participate in the SIZA CARES continuous improvement programme, and 103 asked to go through a third-party audit.

Water is a finite resource, meaning that it cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with consumption.

It is important that all aspects relating to the sustainable and efficient utilisation of water is assessed on the day of the audit and addressed within the audit report.

With agriculture being one of the major water-using industries, auditors must familiarise themselves with the regulations related to the abstraction and disposal of water.

The use, storage, and/or disposal of biodegradable industrial wastewater, that is wastewater which contains predominantly organic waste from industrial/commercial activities, is classified as a Section 21(e) and/or 21(g) water use activity by the National Water Act 36 of 1998 (NWA).

Where registration or authorisation is required, auditors should evaluate the relevant documentation to assess whether the water-related activities the site engages in are legal.