Water is the lifeblood of agriculture and one of the most precious resources for farmers worldwide. In the face of climate change, increasing water scarcity, and extreme weather events, innovative approaches to water use and management are essential to ensure productivity while protecting the environment. That’s why the Agro Innovation Lab is searching for use cases and solutions.
One thing is certain about water as a resource – it touches nearly every aspect of agriculture. Most often, people think of irrigation – whether it’s broad irrigation or the drip and micro-irrigation offered by Parga, Austria’s leader in agricultural irrigation, which ensures efficient use.
Efficient water management and infrastructure for water storage are becoming increasingly important. More data is being collected, such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation, as well as predictive models that provide decision support for irrigation, input application, and optimal harvest times. The free Lagerhaus weather app provides access to numerous local data and predictive models (access information is available at Lagerhaus).
The more information a farmer has about the location and condition of their fields, the better they can select optimal seeds. Breeding increasingly focuses on traits like drought resistance. Soil management can also enhance water retention. Commercially available water-retaining granules, primarily used in perennial crops, aim to achieve this goal. Many other topics, such as water recycling, indirect shading through agri-PV systems, the use of satellite data, or AI platforms, will play a role in the future.
In summary, the future of agriculture lies in the intelligent and sustainable use of water. Innovative water management strategies and individual solutions will play a central role. This is why the Agro Innovation Lab is seeking the best ideas and solutions in this area. We invite anyone with innovative ideas, products, solutions, or a specific use case to send a message to office@agroinnolab.com.
Photo: Parga