ALMOST 1000 Riverland irrigators have been allocated 39 gigalitres of extra water under a $67 million State Government drought-assistance scheme.

The decision to underwrite critical water allocations for permanent citrus, vines and other plantings along the River Murray was made by the Government in September, AdelaideNow reports.

Under the scheme, irrigators can apply to the Riverland Response Centre and have their eligibility for a critical water allocation assessed.

Latest available figures provided to The Advertiser yesterday show there have been 1277 calls to the centre ahead of the deadline of January 16.

Of the 1078 formal applications, 906 have so far been approved and 107 rejected.

Water Security Minister Karlene Maywald yesterday said the response from irrigators to the scheme was "overwhelmingly positive".

"We anticipate about three-quarters of both private irrigators and those in trusts have applied for a critical water allocation so far this year," Ms Maywald said.

Only those irrigators who can prove their businesses are financially viable, and are not taking the Federal Government's exit grant, are eligible.

Renmark West citrus-grower Humphrey Howie, 47, has received a critical allocation of 60 megalitres of water. "That gives us enough water for now and hopefully allows us to carry over a little bit for next year."

SA Murray Irrigators Association chairman Tim Whetstone, who will challenge Ms Maywald for her seat of Chaffey at the 2010 election, said the scheme helped irrigators make a positive decision to stay on the land.

*This news is a quote from the「WeeklyTimesNow」.