The Environment Agency has told farmers to take immediate action this summer to save water and secure supply for the crops, following England’s driest spring since 1893.
In East Anglia, particularly, concerns have risen over potential water shortages in the second half of the summer, but parts of the northwest and Yorkshire have already experienced droughts, while others are at risk.
Long-term dry conditions force many growers to begin irrigation earlier than usual and rely heavily on water reserves stored without significant rainfall mitigation.
To help manage the situation, the Environment Agency has pledged today (June 26) to increase support to help farmers use water more efficiently.
Farmers, especially those relying on farm reservoirs, are advised to take measures such as minimizing leaks from irrigation equipment, closely monitoring the water needs of the crop, and scheduling irrigation during the cooler months of the day to reduce evaporation.
Richard Thompson, deputy director of the Environment Agency’s Water Resources, highlighted the partnership between farmers and farmers to ensure water access while protecting the environment.
He urged farmers to “take action now to conserve water as summer enters and use their water resources as efficiently as possible.”
Spray irrigation, essential to protect crops during hot and dry periods, is pressured in some areas due to lower river and groundwater levels.
Without further rainfall, some farmers said they could face limitations in water abstraction that could limit their irrigation capabilities.
Thompson highlighted a national framework for water resources, including measures to help farmers build water resilience, support local solutions, and incorporate real-time data for more sustainable water management.
The framework, released last week, warns that climate change and population growth could fall into a one-day water shortage of 5 billion litres by 2055.
It outlines how agriculture can respond through the adoption of smart technologies such as soil moisture sensors and efficient irrigation systems, and by promoting cooperation through water abstract groups.
Thompson concluded: “As the climate changes, coordinated actions are important to ensure a future of water, protect food production, and promote resilience and growth of agriculture and rural communities as a whole.”
This warning comes in addition to the already bruiseful year for farmers who have been hit by a financial blow of £1 billion following the extremely wet winter of 2023/24.
New figures from DEFRA show revenues from major crops from arable land plummeted despite an overall increase in UK farm revenues from £6.1 billion in 2023 to £7.7 billion in 2024.
The arable land fell by 1.19 billion pounds as wheat production fell 20% after months of flooded fields.
