Review agricultural projects and continue cooperation

Working to improve the soil on your plot takes time and knowledge. Any help offered in this regard is very welcome. During the DAW water caravan excursion on November 23, arable farmer Bart Bos emphasized the importance of water and soil projects, and in particular the Spaarbodem project. According to Melissa van Hoorn, deputy for the Province of Groningen, there is no better place to confirm the collaboration for the coming years: "Here in the field, we see how important it is that we continue with the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management in the coming years. Today, the province and water boards are signing the 2022-2027 administrative agreement." 

Projects in practice

The first stop of the DAW water caravan was at farmer Bart Bos in Holwierde. He is a participant in the Spaarbodem project. "It's good to take a critical approach to your soil. In this project, you work a lot in groups, which means you learn with and from each other. This interaction is an added value."After this visit, the Water Caravan bus left for the Remijn partnership in Eenrum. They are going to construct a washing area at this arable farm. This construction is made possible in part by a subsidy within the project 'Implementation incentive for water and soil quality in Noorderzijlvest Groningen'. Project leader Tjeerd Hoekstra gave those present an update on the project: "142 arable farmers and dairy farmers are participating in order to invest in water and soil quality measures. Examples of investments include GPS systems for customized fertilization, machines for mechanical incorporation or non-inversion tillage, and water level-controlled drainage."

DAW Management Agreement

The Province of Groningen, the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority, and the Hunze en Aa’s Water Authority are working together to improve water quality and resolve issues relating to water quantity. Agreements on this matter have been laid down in the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management (DAW) 2022-2027 administrative agreement. These signatures confirm the collaboration for the coming years.

Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management

With the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management (DAW), the agricultural sector supports the joint water and soil challenge and works towards a future-proof agricultural sector. Various projects have been launched in Groningen, a number of which in collaboration with the Gouden Gronden program. That program also offers farmers opportunities for better soil management. All projects contribute to improving water quality and reducing flooding and the negative effects of drought.