Subsidies for farmers to invest in clean and sufficient water

The province of Groningen, together with the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority, is making more than €1 million in subsidies available to farmers so that they can invest in improving the quality of surface water and retaining rainwater on agricultural land. The subsidy will go to the project 'Implementation incentive for water and soil quality', through which LTO Noord advises and guides farmers in making appropriate investments. This applies to farmers in the Groningen area of the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority.

Climate change

LTO Noord will launch the project in September. Farmers can then register with LTO Noord and apply for subsidies for measures that reduce the runoff of crop protection products and nutrients into surface water. This will result in cleaner surface water. In addition, the subsidy is available for investments that contribute to reducing the effects of climate change. By retaining rainwater during periods of prolonged rainfall, dry periods can be bridged.

Guidance

An area coordinator from LTO Noord will advise farmers on how to combine their wishes, plans, and measures. Links will also be made with ongoing projects, such as Schoon Erf (Clean Farmyard), Schoon Water (Clean Water), Spaarbodem (Soil Conservation), Trijntje, and Weide en Water (Meadow and Water). There is room for 40 advisory visits to identify farmers' needs and determine promising measures at the farm level. The area coordinator will also provide support in applying for subsidies.

Investments

Within this project, subsidies are also available for at least 110 farmers who can actually invest in materials, machinery, or the soil. These investments ensure:

  • healthier and more fertile soil (including organic matter, soil structure, use of non-inversion tillage);
  • more precise agriculture (including GPS technology, soil scanning);
  • improved water management (including level-controlled drainage, farm weirs);
  • less runoff (wastewater treatment systems and collection of juices from roughage storage);
  • less runoff of crop protection products (including spraying techniques that prevent crop protection products from being blown away).

Collaboration

The subsidies are granted on the basis of agreements laid down in the national Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management. Under this plan, provinces, water boards, LTO Noord, and agricultural collectives work closely together to achieve the goals of participating farmers. This broad cooperation plays an important role in the success of the projects.

Applications and information

  • More information about the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management can be found on the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management website.agrarischwaterbeheer.nl