Organic farming tests drought resistant crops in Burgenland

Extreme heat and drought have caused significant crop losses for conventional farmers this year, while organic farming has proved somewhat more resilient, ORF reported.

Organic farms have also suffered losses, but some have planted varieties that cope better with dry conditions. Esterhazy, the state’s largest organic farming operation, has included chickpeas in its crop rotation for several years, according to Markus Fritz of Biolandgut Esterhazy.

“Because of changes in temperatures and weather conditions, it is now a crop that grows very well in Austria,” Fritz said. Chickpeas also cope well with drought and limited water, he added.

Esterhazy also uses intermediate crops such as lucerne. The plant naturally supplies nutrients to the soil, helps lower soil temperatures and can be used as animal feed. Its deep roots allow it to draw water from lower soil layers, Fritz said, explaining why green fields around Lake Neusiedl are often lucerne fields.

Another approach is strip cultivation, in which maize and soybeans are grown separately in strips. The method is intended to create a microclimate for the soybeans and help retain water in the soil.

Despite these measures, organic farming has also been affected by this year’s drought. Continued adaptation to climate change will remain agriculture’s biggest challenge in the future, Fritz said.