Optimizing agricultural water usage

The major project goals include the establishment of two or more high resolution FURUNO weather radars in Brandenburg with the goal of improving precipitation measurements and forecasting. Additionally, data from the X-band weather radar will be coupled with the AgroHyd model to optimize water use requirements. A key focus of the project is the close collaboration with local farmers to ensure that water-related indicators are chosen by consensus and that the developed software tools are practical and tested in real-world scenarios. To ensure uptake by stakeholders, the project aims to develop a co-designed, tailor-made webservice to provide information on water availability and irrigation efficiency for multiple crop types. As farmers increasingly take on dual roles in food production and environmental stewardship, they must also develop digital competencies. The project is committed to making a substantial contribution in this area to bridge the gap between technology and agricultural practice. Through strong partnerships among (ATB), GFZ, the German Weather Service (DWD), and two local farms, AgroHyd-X promotes applied agricultural research in Brandenburg and supports sustainable practices that benefit both farmers and the broader community.