In the Salland region, many actors adopt a supply-oriented approach to water.
Thus, the major goal is providing the right amount of water with the right quality
for all water users. For the water authorities, these users mainly include the
agricultural users. The focus on supply has been shifted, since other interests
became important in the past few decades as it was realized that the amount of
freshwater is limited and climate change is exacerbating this issue. For the agricultural sector, flood protection is still the major goal, whereas drought is seen as a
relatively new issue. Although the dry sandy soils of the eastern Netherlands are
prone to drought, it is difficult to create a broad awareness of the general public, and
especially the farmers, who are concerned more about wet fields and high
groundwater levels than the dry fields. There is also a knowledge gap on the
appropriate groundwater levels for both agriculture and nature and how they affect
one another at various scales.
In the case of Vilaine, drought and water scarcity are not seen as urgent issues
for the agricultural sector. This can be mainly attributed to the historically
favourable situation in the region and the crisis management approach. Thus, the
awareness and understanding of both the water users and water managers on the
potential impacts of climate change remains weak. The connection between surface
water and groundwater resources are not well known, which is partly due to the fact
that water withdrawals are not monitored.
In Somerset, there is a coherent agreement between the different actors that
droughts are already problematic for the region and that these problems will
increase in the future. It seems that farmers are quite aware of the problem, but the
level of recognition is seen as lower for agriculture and higher for other sectors such
as nature. Not the full range of possible mitigation measures on farms are taken up,
e.g. rainwater tanks are only installed if there is a subsidy available and is motivated
more by saving money. Furthermore, the perspectives on drought are driven by
sectoral views, e.g. by agriculture and nature. With further programmes the problem
definition could become more coherent. But already before and especially after the
flooding in 2013/2014 droughts are seen as a secondary problem to flooding in the
region. Opportunities for co-benefits between flood protection and drought protection via the launched action programmes are possible but are not central in the
design of activities regarding flood protection. In political discussions there is a
reluctance to point out co-benefits between drought and flood measures.
Drought and water scarcity is also a low profile issue in the Twente region of
Vechtstromen, limiting the financial and political support that could be given for
preventive measures. This is mainly due to the historically developed artificial
system for managing water levels, which is seen in the west of the country as a
sufficient drought management measure, and the conflicting priority for preventing
saltwater intrusion by flushing this artificial system. Thus, the eastern part of the
country that has areas with high and sandy soils, which depend on rainwater and
groundwater, does not receive political priority in terms of drought and water
scarcity. The new Delta Programme, which recognizes the climate change and its
impacts, is expected to contribute to an improved political awareness for drought in
all areas of the country.
10 Cross-cutting Perspective on Agriculture
213
Thus, the major goal is providing the right amount of water with the right quality
for all water users. For the water authorities, these users mainly include the
agricultural users. The focus on supply has been shifted, since other interests
became important in the past few decades as it was realized that the amount of
freshwater is limited and climate change is exacerbating this issue. For the agricultural sector, flood protection is still the major goal, whereas drought is seen as a
relatively new issue. Although the dry sandy soils of the eastern Netherlands are
prone to drought, it is difficult to create a broad awareness of the general public, and
especially the farmers, who are concerned more about wet fields and high
groundwater levels than the dry fields. There is also a knowledge gap on the
appropriate groundwater levels for both agriculture and nature and how they affect
one another at various scales.
In the case of Vilaine, drought and water scarcity are not seen as urgent issues
for the agricultural sector. This can be mainly attributed to the historically
favourable situation in the region and the crisis management approach. Thus, the
awareness and understanding of both the water users and water managers on the
potential impacts of climate change remains weak. The connection between surface
water and groundwater resources are not well known, which is partly due to the fact
that water withdrawals are not monitored.
In Somerset, there is a coherent agreement between the different actors that
droughts are already problematic for the region and that these problems will
increase in the future. It seems that farmers are quite aware of the problem, but the
level of recognition is seen as lower for agriculture and higher for other sectors such
as nature. Not the full range of possible mitigation measures on farms are taken up,
e.g. rainwater tanks are only installed if there is a subsidy available and is motivated
more by saving money. Furthermore, the perspectives on drought are driven by
sectoral views, e.g. by agriculture and nature. With further programmes the problem
definition could become more coherent. But already before and especially after the
flooding in 2013/2014 droughts are seen as a secondary problem to flooding in the
region. Opportunities for co-benefits between flood protection and drought protection via the launched action programmes are possible but are not central in the
design of activities regarding flood protection. In political discussions there is a
reluctance to point out co-benefits between drought and flood measures.
Drought and water scarcity is also a low profile issue in the Twente region of
Vechtstromen, limiting the financial and political support that could be given for
preventive measures. This is mainly due to the historically developed artificial
system for managing water levels, which is seen in the west of the country as a
sufficient drought management measure, and the conflicting priority for preventing
saltwater intrusion by flushing this artificial system. Thus, the eastern part of the
country that has areas with high and sandy soils, which depend on rainwater and
groundwater, does not receive political priority in terms of drought and water
scarcity. The new Delta Programme, which recognizes the climate change and its
impacts, is expected to contribute to an improved political awareness for drought in
all areas of the country.
10 Cross-cutting Perspective on Agriculture
213