Determinants for agricultural water demands and regional governance approaches for conflict reduction in Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt

Increasing drought induces growing water demands from crop farming. Subsequently, "traditional balances" among groundwater stakeholders shift, and opposition to administrative regulations becomes more likely. For counteracting resource-consuming intersectoral friction, two projects ("Water Networks") focusing on improving governance approaches were realized in selected districts. Round tables of selected representatives of regional groundwater stakeholders (drinking water, environmental protection, waterbody maintenance, forestry, agricultural irrigation) were established to enhance competences and understanding and to build mutual confidence. During all-day meetings with breaks for informal exchange, experts presented regional information including determinants for agricultural water demand. In particular, objective information was found lacking on recent and future irrigation demands for crops. Thus, potential regional irrigation needs were determined based on high-resolution soil data, climate data and distribution of primary crops. Clear trends towards increasing requirements of irrigation of up to 31% in regional average were identified until the end of the century. The need for continuing the platform discussions was a main conclusion of the participants.