HydroSoilWise Database and Survey Results

In the region of Northwestern Europe, periods of drought and heavy, intense rainfall resulting from climate change are becoming increasingly common, posing a threat to agriculture and horticulture. To address these challenges, farmers and horticulturists need support in three key areas: (I) increasing soil water-holding capacity and water infiltration by raising soil organic matter content; (II) improving water use efficiency through smart irrigation and water management practices; and (III) reducing erosion.

The HydroSoilWise project will provide farmers and horticulturists with easily accessible knowledge in the form of an innovative toolbox to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices. To develop the toolbox, both a literature review and a survey of farmers and horticulturists were conducted to gather information on potential techniques that can address these challenges, resulting in a combination of research-based knowledge and practical experience.

A database was developed containing the consulted literature, with each scientific article accompanied by a brief summary detailing the crop type, soil type, and the observed effects of the techniques on yield, plant quality, and soil quality. This database forms the basis for the toolbox’s technical data sheets.

The survey of farmers and horticulturists on the practices and methods they use has helped to assess the current state of affairs regarding their use and the knowledge of farmers and horticulturists. This survey also identified bottlenecks in the application of these techniques. As a result, the toolbox will be tailored to the needs of farmers and horticulturists in addressing the challenges identified. The results of the survey are summarized in a report.
View the research report and the literature reviewed here: Farmers practices & knowledge survey | HydroSoilWise