- Agriculture between drought and heavy rainfall
In recent years, severe drought often reduced the yields of Bavarian agriculture - this year, however, it rained frequently and often. This is not a contradiction, but rather part of what we expect, said Peter Doleschel, head of the Institute for Crop Production and Plant Breeding at the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL). "Both challenge agriculture and society."
So, what can be done? "A crucial step towards mitigating damage is careful and appropriate management of agricultural land," said Doleschel. The soil should be covered as much as possible to protect against erosion and allow more rainwater to infiltrate. This keeps water in the soil for plants and prevents runoff. Additionally, when planning crops, consider if the field is on a slope and work accordingly to prevent erosion.
Irrigation mainly for a few crops
To create "safe paths" for runoff water, typical drainage ditches in fields could be grassed ("grassed waterways").
And what about irrigation in dry years? Due to the high costs of irrigation technology and restrictive water withdrawal permit practices, irrigation remains primarily for perennial crops like wine, fruit, or hops, or high-value crops like vegetables or potatoes.
A particular challenge in Bavaria is the landscape - fields are relatively small and ownership is often divided among many owners. Individual farmers alone cannot implement these measures, said the expert. Public procedures coordinated by rural development directors could be a solution.
The heavy flooding in southern Bavaria in June also severely affected agriculture. There were partial crop failures. "The heavy rainfall and flooding at the beginning of June caused significant damage to crops. Large areas of pasture, grain, corn, or potatoes were submerged for days," Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) emphasized at the traditional harvest press tour last month.
The 2024 Crop Report from the state agency again highlighted the weather conditions up to harvest: heavy rain began at the end of May, "soaking the soils completely." Unstable weather also repeatedly interrupted the harvest in the summer.
Research on agriculture in dry areas
Various trials and projects are underway at the state agency to explore how Bavarian agriculture can become more resilient to future climate changes. In the Franconian town of Schwarzenau, there is a new research center for agriculture in dry areas. Here, for example, alternative crop types are being tested for their suitability: "Under changing climate conditions, diversification plays an increasingly important role. New crop types and cultivation methods can make a significant contribution here." The "FutureCrop" project also researches the cultivation of peanuts, cowpeas, sesame, and black cumin in Bavaria.
Despite the recent frequent rains improving the yield of Bavarian agriculture, the unpredictability of weather patterns continues to pose challenges to the sector. Implementing irrigation, especially for perennial crops like wine, fruit, and hops, can help mitigate damage during dry years, but its high costs and permits restrict its use widely. Collaborative public procedures coordinated by rural development directors could facilitate the implementation of measures to protect agricultural land, such as grassed waterways, on small, divided fields.
