This article discusses the impact of heat and water stress on agriculture, especially in Switzerland. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Impact of Heat and Water Stress:
Fruits: Ripen faster, but this can lead to smaller fruit, affecting both quality and quantity.
Cereals: The effects are more varied by region. Positive: Early crops like barley and rapeseed in Switzerland benefited from the heat, allowing for good maturation and drying, resulting in good harvests.
negative: Crops not yet mature, such as beets, sunflower, corn, and wheat, suffered from strong heat and lack of water. This hindered grain filling and risks weakening yields. Prolonged Drought: The situation could worsen with prolonged drought, which is also a concern for cattle breeders.
Farmer’s outlook (Dimitri Martin):
Current Situation: Not yet critical, but could deteriorate quickly.
Insurance: Farmers are increasingly insuring their operations against hail and drought. Though, the effectiveness of insurance is questioned if drought becomes a widespread, globalized phenomenon, as there might not be enough reserves to compensate for losses.
Adaptation: Global warming is a major concern, shortening favorable periods for sowing and harvesting. Farmers need to adapt by:
Reviewing Crop Choices: Switching to crops like sorghum rather of certain cereals. Selecting Resistant Varieties: Choosing varieties that are more resistant to heat and water scarcity.
Overall Theme:
The article highlights the growing challenges faced by farmers due to climate change, specifically the impact of heat and water stress. It emphasizes the need for adaptation strategies, including changes in farming practices and crop selection, while also raising concerns about the long-term viability of insurance systems in the face of increasingly frequent and widespread climate-related events.
