If climate change will keep leading to extreme weather conditions in the future, this will also affect the crops grown in the Hessian Ried. Willi Billau, Lampertheimer farmer and chairman of the Regional Farmers Association Starkenburg, is convinced that the cultivation of special cultures like asparagus and strawberries will then decline.
Changeover to other cultures
A fruit that could be well suited for cultivation in the Hessian Ried according to Billaus, is the soybean. "It is relatively drought-resistant and produces good yields even in hot and dry conditions." Soybeans are mainly used as feed for pigs and cattle. In addition to switching to other crops, Billau would also welcome the breeding of more drought-resistant varieties.
Furthermore, he considers multi-risk insurances for farms to be useful, as they common are in many other countries. The premiums to be paid would be co-financed by the states - as a form of subsidy, so to speak.
Source: Mannheimer Morgen