Water-smart agriculture and irrigation efficiency

About this expertise

In short
  • Irrigation & sprinkler systems
  • Salinisation & adaptation
  • Water quality & monitoring
  • Freshwater storage
Get in touch with us

Due to climate change and changing land use, sufficient clean water for agriculture can no longer be taken for granted. WUR researches irrigation, drainage and water storage, using models and monitoring to visualise effects. In doing so, we help farmers and growers improve their operations and provide policymakers with reliable knowledge for sustainable water management.

WUR develops techniques and strategies to use water more efficiently and improve water quality. We study irrigation and sprinkler systems - such as drip and precision irrigation - to deliver water precisely where it is needed. We also design water storage and drainage systems that reduce flooding while retaining water for dry periods.

In salinising coastal areas, we test innovative irrigation systems, crop strategies and forms of freshwater storage to supply crops sustainably with clean water. We analyse the links between water quality, availability and agricultural production through modelling and systems analysis. Indicators and monitoring tools make the effects at farm and regional level visible.

Together with farmers, growers, water authorities and policymakers, we develop practical solutions that contribute to climate-resilient farming and well-founded water policies.

  • Irrigation and sprinkler systems: we evaluate strategies (including drip and precision irrigation) and the use of sensors and data to optimise timing and dosage. This is particularly relevant for fruit growing.
  • Freshwater storage: exploration of subsurface and basin storage, and reuse of available water flows, including quality and risk assessments.
  • Salinisation and adaptation: approaches for coastal and at-risk areas: monitoring, crop and farming system choices, and soil and water management.
  • Water quality and monitoring: research on the effects of nutrients and crop protection products on water quality; measurement strategies and actionable guidance for farmers and water managers.

Related products, services and facilities (7)

Products, services and facilities
Researcher in greenhouse
Facility

Unifarm – Research facility for plant science

Unifarm provides companies with access to advanced facilities for high-quality plant and crop research. From large-scale field trials and controlled greenhouse experiments to studies with specific plant material, including quarantine organisms – we create the right research environment with professional support. Our experts are client-focused and combine a hands-on approach with technical expertise to ensure professional execution of experiments.

Facility

Trial site Lelystad

Trial site Lelystad is WUR’s largest experimental site, located on young marine clay. With 700 hectares of trial-ready fields, we have the capacity to set up everything from small-scale to very large and complex field experiments. These can be combined with laboratory analyses and high-quality storage facilities.

Facility

Trial site Marwijksoord

On the sandy soils of Drenthe in Marwijksoord lies the Kooijenburg experimental farm. This research and demonstration site for arable and forage crops is the only WUR trial location on northern sandy soils in the Netherlands, with a historic nutrient deficiency field. On 60 hectares of sandy soil, we conduct practical research in cooperation with farmers and chain partners.

Facility

Trial site Valthermond

Trial site Valthermond is the only Wageningen University & Research trial location on peat-colonial sandy loam. This makes the site uniquely suited for practice-oriented research into soil quality, cropping systems, biodiversity and new technologies. Collaboration with farmers, chain partners and governments is central.

Facility

Trial site Vredepeel

Vredepeel, located in Venray, is the trial site for the sandy soils of the southeastern Netherlands. We conduct practical field trials on crops and cropping systems, focusing on soil quality, resilient cultivation, fertilisation, water and erosion. Together with Trial Site Wijnandsrade, we also carry out field research on loess soils in South Limburg.

Facility

Trial site Westmaas

The Westmaas field crops trial site, situated in the Hoeksche Waard region of South Holland, specialises in research on potatoes, cereals and sugar beet. The soils are predominantly heavy silt loam to light clay. In addition to field trials, the location offers extensive facilities for potato storage research. With its excellent infrastructure, Westmaas enables integrated chain research from field to product quality.

Facility

Fruit Research Centre - Applied research on nursery stock and fruit in Randwijk

Wageningen University & Research conducts applied research on nursery stock and fruit. At the Fruit Research Centre (FRC) Randwijk – of which WUR is one of the partners – we test varieties, sustainable cultivation systems, and innovations such as precision techniques, robotics, and new storage methods for apples, pears, stone fruit and soft fruit.

Get in touch with our expert

Contact

Do you have a question or would you like to collaborate? Contact our expert.

S (Sep) Bregman, MSc

Expert water-smart agriculture