The Department of Agriculture, Husbandry, and Fisheries (Santa Rosa) has been anticipating the dam water situation for several months due to the lack of rain at the end of last year and the beginning of this one. Many local producers depend on dam water delivered by Santa Rosa via trucks at a government-subsidized price. However, dam water is currently running out. Demand remains high due to intense heat and Sahara dust, which impacts many crops. Realistically, without significant rainfall to refill the dams, it will be difficult for Santa Rosa to maintain daily deliveries to farmers (cunukeros).
High temperatures are also causing rapid evaporation when watering plants. Santa Rosa is calling for cooperation; water truck orders and prepayments will be limited because the demand cannot be met without supply. Currently, only four dams have a limited amount of water: Tanki Leendert, Tanki Flip, Rooi Afo, and Hooiberg. The public is urged not to dump trash or dead animals near dams and to use the water strictly for irrigation or livestock.
“WEB Meter with subsidized water for commercial producers or 65+” To minimize the use of regular WEB water and avoid high costs, Santa Rosa reminds producers of the option to request subsidized water at AWG 5.50 per cubic meter.
What are the requirements to apply for this water?
- Land: Minimum 400 m² of public domain land dedicated entirely to agriculture, horticulture, or livestock. Must be a registered agrarian business (KVK) or registered at Santa Rosa for those 65+.
- Exclusions: Explicitly excludes the cultivation of flowers, ornamental plants, or cannabis.
- Irrigation System: Water from the “Commercial Agriculture Meter” must only be used via a drip irrigation system. The client is responsible for maintaining the system.
- Usage: Water must be used exclusively on the registered land for agricultural activities. Use by third parties or outside the property is prohibited.
- Storage: Buffer tanks must be accessible and have a “top fill” system without leaks.
- Inspections: Since January 2021, it is mandatory to allow inspectors (LVV, Health Service, WEB) to access the land for hygiene control and production data collection.
- Reporting: Clients must submit a monthly “Production Report” by the 15th of every month. Failure to comply with these rules results in losing the special rate.
Advice for Hobby Farmers: Consider collecting washing machine water for your crops. Modern detergents are often biodegradable. Also, ensure gutters are clean and tanks are ready to collect rainwater, keeping them covered to prevent mosquito breeding.
