A Collaborative Success story: Protecting Groundwater Through Voluntary Action

In a remarkable display of environmental stewardship, over 60 agricultural businesses in the Legden/Asbeck region of North Rhine-Westphalia are voluntarily participating in a project dedicated to enhanced groundwater protection. This initiative, spanning more than 1,800 hectares of farmland outside designated protected areas, showcases the effectiveness of collaborative efforts driven by advice, personal responsibility, and mutual trust.

District Administrator Dr. Kai Zwicker lauded the commitment of the farmers, stating, The farmers show that a lot can be achieved even without legal obligations if advice, personal responsibility and trust interlock. He emphasized the pivotal role played by the North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture (LWK NRW), the Westphalian-Lippische Agricultural Association of Borken (WLV), and the Borken district in fostering this prosperous partnership. The district administration provides crucial support, including financial resources for extensive soil testing.

Key Strategies for Enduring Agriculture

The “Legden/Asbeck” pilot cooperation, established in 2022, has focused on several key strategies to minimize nutrient runoff and improve water quality. These include:

• Area-Specific Nutrient Analysis: Detailed analysis of nutrient supply in the soil to optimize fertilization practices.
• Vegetation Monitoring: Regular determination of plant-available soil nitrogen content to fine-tune nutrient application.
• Farmer Consultation: Ongoing dialog with farmers to share best practices and address specific challenges.
• Technical Implementations:
  • Drainage Control Systems: Installation of systems to optimize soil water balance,particularly during dry periods,ensuring both high yields and efficient nutrient use.
  • Nitrification Inhibitors: Use of these inhibitors in organic fertilizers to prevent nitrate leaching into groundwater.

Measurable Results: Improved Water Quality

The project has already yielded notable results. According to Heinrich-Ludger Rövekamp, ​​managing director of the LWK NRW district office Borken, Even in the difficult weather conditions of the past few years, professional progress has been shown. data collected during the project period shows a notable reduction in mineral nitrogen content in the root zone. Specifically, the average content of mineral nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) in the root zone (0 to 90 cm floor depth) measured at the beginning of seepage water formation in the winter half-year, decreased from 53 kg/ha in 2022 to 46 kg/ha in 2024.

These findings are particularly noteworthy considering the increasing concerns about nitrate levels in groundwater across Europe.According to a 2023 report by the European Environment Agency, agricultural activities are a major source of nitrate pollution, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable farming practices.

“Water-Amiable Operation”: The next Phase

Building on the success of the initial phase, the cooperation is now expanding its focus to the “water-friendly company” model. Markus Weiß, chairman of the WLV district association borken, emphasized the importance of adapting agricultural practices to specific locations, stating, The area management adapted to the specific location could be optimized by agricultural advice- in accordance with the aim of further reducing nutrient entries into the ground and surface water.

the Legden/Asbeck area has been identified by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as having high nitrate pollution in groundwater,leading to strict fertilization requirements for farmers.The new pilot project aims to provide a pathway for companies to be exempt from these requirements by demonstrating that their fertilization practices are precisely tailored to the nutrient needs of their crops and the specific conditions of their land. The LWK NRW will provide technical support to participating companies throughout this three-year pilot project.

Looking Ahead: A Model for sustainable Agriculture

The voluntary pilot cooperation “Legden/Asbeck” serves as a model for achieving the dual goals of intensive agricultural production and water protection. By implementing the latest scientific knowledge and testing its effectiveness in real-world farming practices, the project is promoting climate adaptation and ensuring the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the Borken district. The approach of Cooperation and advice rather of bans! is proving to be a powerful tool for driving positive change.