Water is a central but limited resource in agriculture. Especially during dry phases, natural precipitation is often insufficient to adequately meet crops' water demand. Optimal irrigation is essential, both for resource-conserving water use and for stable yields in sensitive crops with high-value creation.

As part of this project, modern soil mapping and soil moisture measurement in the project area between Bätterkinden, Fraubrunnen, and Utzenstorf will scientifically capture the relationship between soil, crop, and weather. The project aims to utilize the collected soil information as a basis for site-specific, soil-based, and demand-oriented irrigation for agriculture. This means that irrigation should be tailored to crop and sub-area specifics. In other words: more water where the soil retains little, and vice versa.

This project builds on the findings from the previous project "Making the value of soil visible". More information can be found here.

The LANAT-1.2 project is being conducted in collaboration with the Office for Agriculture and Nature (LANAT) of the Canton of Bern.