The basis of Mr Le Roux’s research was on the Collective Irrigation Scheme, a project he has been evaluating since 2004. He explains that the Collective Irrigation Schemes (The Seven Projects) was established post 1994 for emerging farmers. Each project is approximately 560 hectares in size, divided into smaller plots of about seven hectares, where selected farmers manage the production of sugar cane.
“The first involvement was in 2004 and again in 2006 and 2010. During follow-up evaluations, certain patterns of problems were observed which became the basis of my research for an Honours and Master’s degrees,” he says.
“The objective of my studies was determining ‘The Role of Agricultural Extension in Collective Irrigation Schemes: A Case Study of Madadeni Irrigation Scheme, Mpumalanga, South Africa’. A framework was developed for current and future collective irrigation schemes on what the approach should be and how to manage it after it has been developed.”
UMP has stepped up to assist him when he was faced with challenges. “The University of Mpumalanga assisted me with a bursary that was sufficient and when research had to be done elsewhere, I was given time off. When problems arose, I was able to engage with knowledgeable people at UMP.”
He says obtaining his Master’s will improve his engagement with other people and give him more confidence as a lecturer. “Studying also opens up new worlds and gives new insight to handling life’s issues. It can be said that it is important to keep on studying as technology changes quickly and to keep up as a lecturer without improvement, lecturing will become difficult,” he says.
Mr Le Roux has intentions to immediately pursue a PhD. He is currently researching on how to start with a PHD in a similar area of water management.
“My Master’s degree was a building block to get to my PhD. To me it meant a great deal; I started here as a technician with a diploma from the Tshwane University of Technology and later approached UKZN for further studies where I was allowed to do an Honours degree, which I followed up with a Master's degree,” he says.
He adds that achieving the Master's qualification will improve his engagement with other people and give him more confidence as a lecturer.
"Studying opens up new worlds and gives new insight to handling life's issues. It can be said that it is important to keep studying as technology changes quickly and to keep up as a lecturer without improvement, lecturing will become difficult in future. We have a high unemployment rate in South Africa, I always teach my students that the only way to get employment is to equip yourself as best as possible. You should be so well qualified that people want to use you."
His advice to post-graduates within the irrigation industry is that they continue with training to equip themselves with the latest trends and developments in irrigation development.
“Climate is changing and in irrigation, the buzzword is irrigating efficiently. This can only be done with the latest technology and the efficient use of a scarce resource. When working with emerging farmers, the farmer with his knowledge and past experiences should be at the centre of new developments where his knowledge should be recognised and incorporated in the planning and management. As the climate is changing, anticipate what will happen and base future planning on expected climate changes.
Mr Le Roux's career at UMP began in the 80s as a lecturer at the Lowveld College of Agriculture, now the University of Mpumalanga. He has lectured several courses, which include Soil Science, Agronomy and Water Management.
@ Story by Cleo Makhaga. Pictures supplied.