Farming setback: Havoc caused by damage to crops - Agriculturalists encounters flooding depreciation.
Dramatic floods in Saarland have wreaked havoc on the region's agriculture sector. Matthias Weber, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Environment and Agriculture, informed the German Press Agency that there's a strong possibility of significant losses in grassland and maize production.
Erhard Ecker, the head of the Saarland Chamber of Agriculture, speculated that more than 300 of the 1100 agricultural businesses may have faced damage. He, himself, is one of the victims, explaining, "We could have reaped in just three weeks - but now my early potatoes are ruined. It's a heartbreaking waste - we've invested, done the work, and now the crops are lost and there's nothing left to show for it." Sowing new plants is not an option as it takes at least two weeks, and the current crisis makes sourcing new plants almost impossible.
While potato, strawberry, and asparagus growers are affected, those looking to harvest hay in the near future have borne the brunt of the impact. Ecker highlights that grassland areas are inundated, leaving the grass useless. The grass is often covered in heating oil, human excretion, dirt, and sand, making it hazardous for animal feed or biogas plants. He stated that the grass must be treated as a liability and disposed of quickly due to its putrefying nature.
"If it's left undisturbed, we can't use the land for at least this growing season," confirmed Alexander Welsch, the Head of the Saar Farmers' Association. "We need to figure out a way to manage it, whether it's used for mulching, mowing, or composting, and that decision must be made on a per-farm basis." The extent of the damage has yet to be quantified fully, but it's undeniable.
The associations are requesting financial aid and flexible regulations from the state government. "We need to act swiftly now," emphasized Welsch, urging the government to simplify certain nature conservation rules, such as mowing times on farms. Ecker emphasized the same, stating that "Nature conservation rules in the floodplains should be lifted or at least postponed for the flooded areas. This would allow a second hay cutting where feed is scarce."
These conversations with the ministry this week resulted in a positive response. According to spokesperson Matthias Weber, "We're willing to loosen management regulations where possible, such as mowing times in areas protected by nature conservation rules."
Farmers who have lost their hay harvest are not the only ones struggling. Those who cannot find buyers for fruits and vegetables are also impacted by the destruction. "Fruits and vegetables are so contaminated that they're no longer accepted by retailers," said Welsch. Adding, "Strawberries are often so compromised that they're unfit for consumption."
On the brighter side, there are fewer reports of livestock deaths, with only anecdotal evidence about incidents in the neighboring French towns. Welsch assured that stables are deliberately not located in vulnerable areas, minimizing the risk to farm animals.
However, the situation at Neumühle donkey farm in Heusweiler was catastrophic. The overwhelmed waters put dozens of donkeys and rabbits in danger. "Fortunately, we were able to get all the animals to safety just in time," said operator Kathrin Bach. She was comprehensively supported by the community and expressed gratitude for their contributions of food and willingness to help in the cleanup. "It was a torrent of support and love," said Bach. She praised the wild volunteerism and her hopes are that the rebuilding of the facility will progress smoothly.
No exact figure has been given for the total financial cost of the flood damage in Saarland's agricultural sector; the final tally cannot be reached until all the details are tallied. Meanwhile, farmers are grappling with the social and economic implications of the floods, like being unable to work on their land or protect crops. "The morale among farmers is extremely low," said Welsch as he highlighted the effects of the decreasing windows for planting and harvesting due to the excessive rainfall experienced in recent months.
The head of the Chamber of Agriculture for the Saarland, Ecker, thought the situation was normal when streams typically overflowed their banks. "It's not uncommon at all," he said. However, the unfortunate timing of this occurrence in May during the growth season made things more challenging. He urged for a balanced and fair evaluation of the situation: "In fact, it was even worse in the cities," he underlined. Despite the setbacks, Ecker considered it a fortunate turn of events: "If our damage had been from the same torrential rains like in the Ahr valley, our situation would be much worse," he remarked.
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Source: www.stern.de
