Smart solutions for on-farm water management

With some aquifers and river flows in England currently at ‘below average’ levels following more than six months low rainfall, and with the Environment Agency describing irrigation prospects (1 March) as ‘moderate’ for forthcoming growing season, the time seems right for farmers and growers to consider ways to improve the way they use water.

Practical briefing materials for irrigators have been produced within the framework of the European Innovation Partnership ‘Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability’ (EIP-AGRI).

EIP-AGRI was originally launched by the European Commission to promote innovation in the agricultural and forestry sectors and to better connect research and practice.

Guidance produced for farmers and growers includes:

- Strategies for water management on the farm

- Increasing water resources for crops and livestock

- Making the most of available water

- Strategies to make farms more resilient

- Sharing knowledge for better water management

The EIP-AGRI focus group on ‘Water & Agriculture’ brought together 19 experts to explore farm-level adaptation strategies to deal with water scarcity.

Paul Hammett, NFU national water resources specialist, was a member of the ‘Water & Agriculture’ group that produced the report.

“Farmers and growers, particularly those who grow irrigated crops, face increasing risks of water scarcity in future resulting from a range of pressures, not least climate change and population growth”, said Paul

“When searching for solutions to those challenges we tend to focus on increasing water security by building farm reservoirs, but managing our demand for water can be important too”.

“We hope that British farmers can benefit from the expertise of academics and practitioners from all over Europe who came together to exchange knowledge and views and who captured impartial advice on what can be done to use water wisely”, he said.