The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is urging potato and field vegetable growers to take part in a crucial water usage survey to generate robust data about how these sectors of the industry source their irrigation water and how security of supply could be affected by forthcoming abstraction legislation changes.
With changes due to be implemented over the next four years, AHDB’s Horticulture and Potato divisions are concerned that growers may not have access to sufficient water in some areas to maintain and grow their businesses.
Recent NFU research in the Cam and Ely Ouse river catchment concluded the financial value of irrigation for potato and vegetable production was £91 million, with £40 million attributed to groundwater. The report concludes time-limited abstraction licences could mean growers scaling back production considerably.
“There is still an opportunity for the industry to inform policy, and the way it is implemented, to secure adequate water supplies,” says AHDB Potatoes board member and Suffolk potato and vegetable grower Bruce Kerr. “However, the current lack of reliable data about water use is hampering the industry’s ability to provide sufficient evidence for policymakers.”
Water is vital to agriculture with the potato and horticultural sectors having the highest requirements, as irrigation is key to achieving the necessary yield and quality standards to satisfy retailer specifications.
“Field vegetables and potatoes are where future legislation could have the most direct impact on business viability,” says Bruce. “It is vital we generate detailed data that reflects the wide range of crops, business types, geographical locations and ways of obtaining water. By building as clear an understanding as possible of our water use, this AHDB survey aims to provide an evidence base.”
AHDB Horticulture’s research and knowledge exchange manager Anne Stone explains; “Some crops are completely dependent on irrigation, others may need it at particular stages, such as establishment of some field vegetables. For the first time we hope to be able to quantify the typical net financial benefits of irrigation as a result of increased yield and improved product quality.
“As well as helping provide evidence, this project will lead to a grower guidance document outlining abstraction changes, how to keep abreast of their impacts in different catchments and types of business; and the changes businesses can make to help offset the impacts of proposed reforms.
“I urge growers to take the time to complete our survey and play their part in ensuring that our industries are able to secure adequate access to water in the future.”
The AHDB survey will roll out in January and February 2016 and growers will be contacted directly by the contractor Ricardo Energy & Environment – a leading global sustainability consultancy. An online survey will also go live in late January. All survey data will be anonymised
