Although spring has just begun, the Netherlands is already grappling with drought-related challenges, affecting both nature and agriculture. Emma Knol, a Climate Resilient Agriculture researcher at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), is developing a tool that highlights the impact of climate change on farmers at the business level and identifies measures to ensure the future viability of agriculture.
“However, climate and water-resilient agriculture is not solely a challenge for farmers,” says Knol.
“In times of drought, an extra piece of equipment may suddenly need to be acquired; similarly, extreme rain often necessitates immediate and varied responses. Yet these short-term fixes do not ultimately render the farm’s climate resilience in the long term.”
Drought in the Netherlands has become increasingly common, according to a press release. Over the past decade, extended dry spells, particularly in the summer, have occurred regularly. Now, another impact of climate change is evident: intense downpours and prolonged rainfall. These weather extremes are having a major effect on farmers, as Knol explains.
“Due to drought, crops in some regions or during certain periods receive only limited irrigation, which can lead to reduced yields or even crop failures. Likewise, heavy rainfall can damage crops. Furthermore, a wet period might mean that farmers are forced to begin sowing later or to harvest crops earlier. Using heavy machinery on waterlogged fields can also lead to soil compaction.”
What is Still Possible, and What is no Longer Feasible?
Drought creates particular challenges on sandy soils, Knol explains.
“On such soils, water flows more easily into the subsoil than it does on clay soils, which means that the water is lost more quickly. On the other hand, clay soils tend to retain water longer after heavy rainfall. Each region, therefore, faces its own challenges. Along the coast, there is also the problem of salinisation as a result of rising sea levels and drought.”
A recent study by WUR indicates that the impact of climate change on agriculture is only going to increase.
“We will have to carefully assess what remains feasible in each area,” Knol says. “The number of suitable locations for the current cultivation of crops will continuously shrink and sometimes crop cultivation will need to be relocated. This is already happening – for example, salinisation is causing onion cultivation to shift from the west to the east of the Netherlands.”
Impact at the Business Level
As a Climate Resilient Agriculture researcher, Knol helps farmers tackle climate change challenges in multiple ways. For example, she works with stakeholders like LTO (the agricultural association) and financial institutions on a Climate Stress Test, a tool that outlines the risks and impacts of climate change at the farm level.
“A farmer enters the number of hectares and the types of crops grown, after which the tool displays the financial consequences of taking no measures,” Knol explains.
“Economic and climatological models underpin this calculation. Initially, the test is primarily designed to highlight the urgency of climate change. Following this, a fact sheet appears with possible measures, such as water storage around the fields, the use of techniques like precision irrigation, or the cultivation of alternative, more climate-resilient crops. This information then forms the basis for a discussion with an adviser.”
Learning From Other Countries
Knol observes that the increasing frequency of extreme weather events is making the climate in the Netherlands more similar to that of Southern European countries.
Knol says that in Spain and southern France, for example, farmers are already accustomed to prolonged periods of drought. Other nations can learn from their experiences.
“In the European project Climate Farm Demo, we are sharing knowledge and experiences,” he says. “Around 1,500 demo farms are involved, including 60 from the Netherlands. We organise, for example, demonstrations on water management and soil quality in the context of climate adaptation and mitigation.”
Soil rich in organic matter is more resilient to extreme weather events. This project also aims to help farmers anticipate future climate conditions. By studying the climate in Southern Europe, farmers in the Netherlands and Germany can gain valuable insights into potential future scenarios, allowing them to prepare effectively.
A Future From Various Perspectives
The future is being shaped not only by examining other countries but also by developing future scenarios, as seen in the Agriculture Climate 2050 project.
“The input from various stakeholders – including agricultural and horticultural businesses, governmental bodies, nature conservation and civil society organisations — forms the basis for these scenarios. We are assessing, from multiple perspectives, what different climate trends mean for the way the next generation of farmers can practise climate smart agriculture.”
Knol says that one perspective concerns which crops will remain feasible, another focuses on water management strategies to sustain crop production, and a third considers the relationship between agriculture and nature or urban areas.
“Based on these future visions, we are determining the steps that farmers and other stakeholders need to take on the path to 2050.”
Struggles with an Economic Challenge
The impact of climate measures varies based on factors such as region, soil type and quality, the crops grown, and the type of farm. “It will always require a combination of actions — there is no silver bullet.”
However, the reality is that if farmers take no action, the future of their businesses remains uncertain. Many farmers are facing the economic dilemma of whether to invest in measures like underground water storage or experiment with new crop varieties. As a result, many actions are currently taken on an ad hoc basis. In times of drought, farmers may need to quickly acquire additional equipment, while extreme rainfall often requires immediate, varied responses. However, these short-term solutions do not build long-term climate resilience for the farm.
Not Just a Challenge for Farmers
Knol stresses that making agriculture climate smart is not solely the responsibility of farmers.
“It is a multi-stakeholder issue. It is not just about a few measures on the farm, but about organising the entire surrounding environment. Retaining water in the subsoil, ditches, and streams requires close cooperation with other parties such as water authorities, the province, and nature conservation organisations.
“We endeavour to involve these parties as much as possible in our projects, for instance, through workshops and discussions. Fortunately, we see a great willingness to collaborate on regional planning among these groups. Everyone benefits from a resilient environment. We hope to reinforce that development with our knowledge and tools.”
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