Evaluating Water–Energy–Food Nexus Strategies to Address Resource Scarcity in the Crocodile River Catchment, South Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACT The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus approach highlights the interdependence of water, energy and food resources, all of which play central roles in agriculture, especially irrigation. A WEF nexus lens was applied to Mpumalanga's Crocodile River catchment, a vital irrigation area that significantly contributes to South Africa's staple food production. The region faces rising water demand and excessive withdrawals, threatening water supply and affecting interconnected energy and food systems, thereby causing water stress and, subsequently, resource insecurity. Three strategies were assessed to improve water availability: building a new dam at Mountain View, shifting from sugarcane to macadamia production and converting centre pivot irrigation to drip systems. The proposed dam could provide approximately 78 Mm 3 of water annually, with 54% (about 42 Mm 3 ) available for irrigation. Energy productivity was estimated at 1.5 kg MJ −1 for sugarcane under pivot systems, 2.0 kg MJ −1 under drip systems and 3.1 kg MJ −1 for macadamias under drip systems. Overall, investing in improved storage infrastructure, shifting towards macadamia production and adopting contemporary irrigation technologies—though associated with high upfront costs—offer significant long‐term benefits for strengthening water, energy and food security in the catchment.