Desal water may be used for crops

South Australia will consider using water from the Adelaide desalination plant to help irrigators struggling with lower water allocations.

The government has commissioned an independent study into the idea, with water resources likely to be limited at the start of the 2016/17 financial year in the wake of El Nino conditions across the Murray-Darling Basin.

Water Minister Ian Hunter says irrigation and business communities have asked about using desalinated water to offset any possible cuts.

"It's important that any consideration of the increased use of the desalination plant takes into account costs, considers who pays, and aims to maximise overall economic benefit for our state," Mr Hunter said.