Farming Industry - Flooding ruins crop production for numerous farming plots.
Multiple farmers have experienced damage to their harvests due to flooding. According to Markus Drexler, spokesperson for the German Farmers' Association (BBV), "the water masses have often wiped out significant portions of this year's harvest." The worst-affected regions are found in Swabia and parts of Upper and Lower Bavaria. Drexler notes that the extent of damage to crops like wheat, beets, potatoes, and corn, as well as special crops like field vegetables, strawberries, or raspberries, has yet to be determined. There are even farms where the whole cultivated land has been submerged for days.
When young potatoes or corn are submerged for several days, they tend to die and rot. "Meadows and grains that have been flattened by the water masses are usually not salvageable or contaminated," he added.
In the last few days, silos in flood-impacted areas had to be evacuated. A representative from the Munich Ministry of Agriculture shared that farmers had worked together and could use emergency silos.
The extent of the damage to arable land depends on whether pollutants were washed onto the fields. However, there's also a silver lining: Damaged corn fields may potentially be replanted. "Crop care relies on the swift accessibility of the fields, which is contingent on the future rainfall pattern. The economically viable losses can only be estimated once the water has completely receded," stated Drexler.
The state government has pledged to supply at least 100 million euros to aid those affected by the flood disaster. BBV General Secretary Carl von Butler wrote to Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU), noting that some farms might face severe consequences, "up to the point of imminent collapse."
While appreciating the relief measures, Drexler stated that they might not be enough for many farmers. It would be helpful if additional assistance were given in cases with severe damage beyond the planned limit.
Farmers Participating in Flood Relief Efforts
Insurance coverage for crops is a complicated matter. In Bavaria, there's a support program for a multi-risks insurance (MGV) for agricultural products. This insurance assists, for instance, in cases of impacts due to heavy rain. However, floods due to river overflow, not direct rainfall on fields, are excluded, as per the Ministry. The flooding of arable land isn't insurable and cannot be considered in future MGV promotion.
At the same time, both the association and the ministry thanked the farmers who contributed to flood relief efforts. In various places, farmers were active with their equipment and machines.
Read also:
- In Swabia and parts of Upper and Lower Bavaria, where agriculture is prominent, floodwaters have significantly impacted water masses, leading to substantial losses in potatoes, wheat, beets, corn, and other special crops.
- Facing challenges in Swabia and flood-affected regions of Bavaria, farmers are currently dealing with submerged young potatoes and corn, which often result in death and rot due to prolonged water exposure.
- To address the flood-related damage in Bavaria, farmers are utilizing emergency silos provided by the Munich Ministry of Agriculture, collaborating to share resources and resources amidst the disaster.
- As the flood zone in Bavaria continues to recede, farmers hope for swift accessibility to fields, which is necessary for crop care and potential replanting of damage corn fields, although estimated losses remains uncertain.
