Hesse's farmers are fighting the drought: This is how they save their harvest!

Hesse's farmers are fighting the drought: This is how they save their harvest!

Hesse is currently facing a real challenge: agricultural businesses in the state are feeling the effects of persistent drought and weather extremes. How hessenschau.de reported, the conditions in the region are currently almost summer-like, characterized by lots of sunshine and little precipitation. The drought has worsened in recent years and is forcing farmers to adapt their methods.

One example is Wiesbaden farmer Reiner Paul, who has invested in infrastructure to address the challenges of climate change. He built a water basin that holds 10,000 cubic meters of water to provide his strawberry fields with efficient drip irrigation. This method reduces water consumption by half while obtaining water from wells and rainwater. Previously, Hesse was extremely dry between February and April 2025, with only around 40 liters of rain per square meter, a decrease of 70% compared to previous years. The increasing weather extremes are particularly crucial; Heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail pose additional risks.

Fluctuatingly increasing challenges

The disruption of the water balance not only affects yields. According to the German Weather Service, the spring months in Germany were extremely drought-like overall, which increased farmers' uncertainty. Young plants and shallow-rooted crops are particularly affected by the drought, as the drought monitor data shows. Water loss through evaporation is between 50 and 125 millimeters higher than precipitation, raising additional concerns.

The Hessian Farmers' Association is now calling for insurance against crop failures, and the state government plans to promote such measures. A model to support farmers is currently being developed, with the possibility that the first applications can be submitted in autumn 2026.

Long-term effects of climate change

The challenge for farmers is part of a larger climate pattern that could worsen across Europe. According to a study by the Joint Research Center, not only the temperature but also the frequency of extreme weather events is increasing, which has lasting effects on agriculture. Alexander Marx from the Helmholtz Center points out that although such extreme weather events are increasing, they do not automatically represent the new normal.

In this context, it is important to take measures to strengthen biological diversity, as requested by BUND. Without sufficient adaptation, the current drought could have far-reaching ecological consequences, including falling river levels and increased wildfire risk. Through artificial irrigation, Germany could not only put further strain on its plants, but also on its natural water resources.

Economic consequences and consumer prices

Investments in climate adaptation, such as those made by farmer Reiner Paul - in his case 350,000 euros for the water basin - could also have a long-term impact on prices for consumers. The current price for half a kilo of strawberries is around 5 euros. The Hessen State Office for Agriculture not only advises farmers on irrigation, but also promotes water-saving methods to counteract the stress caused by drought.

The developments in Hesse are a striking example of the challenges farmers face today. Resources are becoming scarcer and climate change is increasingly affecting agriculture and thus food security. Given these conditions, it becomes even more important that both farmers and politicians find solutions together.