In southern EU countries such as Greece, Spain and Italy, most freshwater goes to agriculture — and droughts are becoming increasingly common. Here are five concrete ways to make irrigation smarter, and how Europe is supporting this transition.
1. Embrace innovation
Smart irrigation systems make it possible to monitor crops in real time and give each plant precisely the water it needs. Soil sensors, drone or satellite imagery, drip or underground irrigation — precision farming and updated irrigation techniques can allow farmers to use 20% less water, according to the European Environment Agency.
The EU's take: The Common Agricultural Policy provides investment aid for farmers purchasing precision tools. Other subsidies may be conditional on the adoption of technologies that enable water-efficient farming practices. The EU funds innovative projects through the LIFE and Horizon programmes, while the new EU Water Resilience Strategy focuses on research, innovation and competitiveness in the water sector.
2. Trust nature
Soils lose their ability to retain water when damaged by unsustainable practices such as overuse of chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides) or excessive tilling. Techniques such as agroecology or agroforestry (living soil, crop rotation, permaculture etc.) help restore the soil’s natural balance and improve water retention.
The EU’s take: The Nature Restoration Law sets ambitious targets for restoring ecosystems. The Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience aims to achieve healthy soils by 2050. Other rules, such as the Nitrates Directive, regulate the use of inputs in fields.
3. Minimise losses
Every year, a quarter of the water treated in the EU is lost through leaks in distribution networks. Thanks to smart sensors, artificial intelligence, real-time modelling and maintenance robots, it is now possible to detect and repair leaks before it’s too late.
The EU’s take: The EU Water Resilience Strategy foresees significant investment in distribution and monitoring networks to improve water efficiency across the EU by at least 10%. The European Investment Bank has pledged to invest €15 billion over the next two years to support this effort.
4. Capture and reuse
Rainwater harvesting and small agricultural ponds are multiplying to make the most of limited water resources. Advanced wastewater treatment technologies (filtration, membranes, UV, chlorination) now make it possible to produce water of sufficient quality for irrigation.
The EU’s take: The EU has recently revised its Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and Water Reuse Regulation to increase the circular use of water in agriculture and make it more secure.
5. Choose the right seeds
Some crops can survive drought, while others — though highly profitable — are extremely water-intensive and strain local resources. Planting the right seeds in the right place can help farmers save millions of litres over the years.
The EU’s take: The Joint Research Centre helps the European Commission model the impacts of climate change on crops. Many EU projects, funded through the LIFE and Horizon 2020 programmes, are testing adaptation solutions.
Only 6% of the EU’s agricultural land is currently irrigated. While a careful expansion of this share is possible in some regions, experts stress that preserving soil moisture and quality in non-irrigated areas remains crucial to maintaining agricultural productivity.
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