Since 2000, the number of reported drought events has increased by nearly 30%.
This is not only causing billions in economic damage but also hugely affecting the lives of farmers.
Regenerative agriculture is emerging as a key solution to restore farmland. But the million euro question is: what does it mean for drought resilience on farms?
In this blog, we’ll explore the impact of drought in Europe, how it’s affecting farmers, and regenerative agriculture’s potential to mitigate it.
The impact of drought on farmers in Europe
More than a quarter of Europe is currently experiencing drought.
With the wound still raw from last year’s bone-dry summer, many people are reckoning with the prospect that this is the new norm rather than an extreme.
The Iberian Peninsula has been hit particularly hard in recent years. According to the European Drought Observatory, 60% of the area was under ‘alert’ conditions by June.
May was the hottest on record in Spain. Meanwhile, in Portugal, extreme heat has left soils scorched and crops shrivelled.
The combined drought indicator, based on precipitation, soil moisture and vegetation conditions. © EU 2023
A lack of water has affected produce in the middle of the growing season, stunting crops, drying up the soil, and resulting in low yields. The Spanish farmers association COAG forecasted that cereal crops will fail entirely in four regions this year.
Painful economic losses are expected for farmers. But they’re also concerned about the long-term consequences that years of drought will have on the land.
As we make our way through another searing summer, there’s a lot of uncertainty for farmers, but one thing is clear: something needs to change.
Regenerative agriculture and water security
Regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that restores and enhances farmland. It pays a lot of attention to soil health, improving the water cycle and storing carbon in the process.
Recent efforts to combat climate change paired with the soil’s ability to draw down carbon from the atmosphere means farmers practising regenerative agriculture can generate Carbon+ Credits as they transition.
Healthy soils play a key role in increasing water retention and infiltration. A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that for every 1% increase in organic matter, soils can hold up to 30,000 more litres of water per hectare.
Healthy soils act like a sponge. They absorb large amounts of water that would otherwise run off and release it slowly during dry periods.
Drought and regenerative agriculture: from the field
Anne Rugemer is the manager of Naturales del Sierro, a livestock farm transitioning to regenerative farming in Southern Spain. According to Anne, regenerative agriculture has played an important role in limiting the effect of drought on her land.
She explains that despite record-breaking heat, “the groundwater reserves are better than we feared”. A variety of practices such as rotational grazing, organic matter application and keeping the soil covered have increased the resilience of her land.
“Things have been tricky this year. But compared to other farms in the region where the situation is absolutely dramatic, we feel lucky and confident for the coming months.”
– Anne Rugemer
For Manolo Antolin, the owner of El Acorniquillo, one of his biggest challenges has been drought. As he puts it: ”We have won the war, but water continues to win some of the battles”.
Manolo is using our Carbon+ Program to transition his farm to regenerative agriculture. He states that “with a new management approach, we see that the land and vegetation is also changing”.
This is clearly shown in a satellite image of his farm next to his neighbours.
“Through regenerative agriculture, the soil is healthier, so the water infiltration rate increases. By increasing the infiltration, you reduce erosion and produce more vegetation. In other words, every impact is positive. It’s as simple as that.”
– Manolo Antolin, El Acorniquillo
The challenge facing farmers
The impact of drought is unprecedented. Farmers depend on water to produce food, fuel their businesses, and maintain the land.
With farmers like Yanniek of La Junquera experiencing 10 months of consistent drought, it feels like the odds are stacked against them. But still, they’ve managed to maintain some profits through regenerative management while most farmers have suffered major losses.
Sadly, the situation is only expected to worsen. Building resilience now is essential to ensure farmers are better positioned down the line.
According to Manuel Die, the manager of Herdade de Defesinhas, we need to listen to the land and change our approach. It’s the only way to ensure farmers can face the difficulties that lie ahead.
Through our Carbon+ Program, farmers can access an additional income stream as they transition to a more resilient system.
Closing remarks
We need to focus on the bigger picture. Long-term drought resilience will soon be a major priority for farmers, and regenerative agriculture is key to making this a reality.
By making the change now, farmers can ensure they’re not at the mercy of extreme weather conditions in the years to come.
