Administrative agreement on Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management extended
The province of Drenthe and the four water boards Hunze en Aa’s, Noorderzijlvest, Drents Overijsselse Delta, and Vechtstromen are working together to improve water quality, water quantity, and the right amount of water in the right place. Agreements on this have been laid down in the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management (DAW) 2021-2022 administrative agreement. This was signed by the parties involved on Friday, October 15.
The core idea behind the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management is that the agricultural and horticultural sectors themselves take the initiative to develop and implement projects that contribute to a sustainable water system linked to sustainable business development. To this end, businesses are supported with knowledge and a DAW subsidy from the province and the water boards. There are a total of 22 projects involving 930 agricultural entrepreneurs. The signing of the DAW agreement is a two-year extension until the new Common Agricultural Policy is in place. New compared to the previous period 2016-2020 is that, in addition to good water quality, extra attention is being paid to combating drought.
Below are some projects from DAW.
Field margins and spraying techniques Drentsche Aa
In the Drentsche Aa plot emission project, the pollution of surface water with crop protection products is a central theme. The pollution of surface water has been reduced by creating field margins, adapted spraying techniques, and soil measures.
Washing area 2.0
A new washing facility for agricultural equipment has been created in Wapse. Farmers can clean their machines at the washing facility and no longer have to do so on their own property. This new washing facility prevents pesticides from entering surface water.
Innovative sensors in Zeijen
In the Zeijen farming community, innovative sensors are being used to better manage both water quality and water quantity. This allows each farm to achieve optimal water management.
Area approach Southeast Drenthe and Nieuwe Drostendiep
In the southeast of Drenthe, farmers can have a business scan carried out, resulting in advice on soil and water management. This is intended to support investment in improvement measures. In the Coevorden area, a dairy farmer had a scan carried out to find a solution to his drought sensitivity. Installing a weir in combination with level-controlled drainage and locally improving the soil structure proved to be the best solution.
Signing of the administrative agreement (DAW) 2021-2022
The signing took place at the G.K. Brink and E. Brink Rozenveld partnership in Zeijen. Here, the project involving sensors that collect real-time information is proving successful in improving water quality.
