Water shortage in Brandenburg: Farmers fight against the dry legacy of the GDR

Water shortage in Brandenburg: Farmers fight against the dry legacy of the GDR

In the dry summers of recent years, especially 2018 and 2019, Jan Sommer, a dedicated organic farmer from Dahmsdorf in Brandenburg, struggled with the challenges of extreme drought. At that time, he had an impressive experience with his tractor when it damaged a fire hydrant while he was watering his fields. This experience led him to think about sustainable irrigation of his 70 hectares of fields. The decline in groundwater and the associated challenges have become an urgent issue for him and many other farmers. According to the taz, Brandenburg recorded the lowest rainfall nationwide in the winter of 2024/25, while merciless heat and drought are also predicted for the summer of 2025.

A central problem in Sommer's region are the old drainage systems, which were installed extensively in the former GDR as part of the improvement process. These systems drain a lot of rainwater and are responsible for valuable water disappearing from the ground. Sommer made a remarkable discovery: on particularly dry days, over 200 cubic meters of water flow through these drainages every day. To combat this, he began a project with conservationists and hydrologists, capping a drainage shaft to keep water in the ground. The first results after a year are promising - a small puddle remains even during drought, and summer can now retain about 80 cubic meters of water in the ground.

Challenges and future prospects

This problem is not just a local one, but a far-reaching one, which the project “Keep water on the land!” is dedicated. A short study by Lea Spelzhausen and Sassa Franke published in this context analyzes the historical, current and future aspects of water management in Brandenburg. She points out that the Brandenburg landscape is heavily influenced by drainage measures, which have primarily contributed to the agricultural usability of the areas. However, these existing systems continue to influence local water cycles and ecological conditions.

The study recommends measures such as drain removal and wetland restoration as key to more sustainable water management. In view of the challenges of climate change, as can also be observed in the Federal Environment Agency's WADKlim project, sustainable water retention is considered essential. The ecological and economic needs are therefore in the foreground.

The path to consciousness

Jan Sommer emphasizes that the issue of drainage is the most pressing problem for agriculture. Many farmers are often not aware of the drainage that runs beneath their fields and the lengthy renovation work that would be required. The State Office for the Environment has launched a pilot project to measure water runoff from these drainage systems. Experts are showing keen interest in the positive effects of Sommer’s experiment, but the path to comprehensive reform is long and complex.

In Brandenburg there are more than 20 water and soil associations that are responsible for managing these drainages. However, there is often a lack of digitized maps that could provide clear information. This not only complicates farmers' planning, but also the co-production between agriculture and nature conservation, which is urgently needed to meet the challenges of climate change.

All in all, it becomes clear that the question of water retention and the right irrigation strategies for agriculture is not only a technical but, above all, a social challenge. The active steps of farmers like Jan Sommer are essential for shaping a more sustainable future in Brandenburg and beyond.

For further details on the studies and projects, we refer to the complete works below taz, Climate practice and Federal Environment Agency.