Germany is witnessing a significant shift in agricultural practices, driven by increasingly frequent periods of drought and a growing need for sustainable water management. Data released Tuesday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals a 156.8 percent increase in the cultivation area dedicated to soybeans between 2016 and 2024.
Last year, nearly 4,500 agricultural operations cultivated soybeans across a total of 40,500 hectares. This represents a substantial increase from the approximately 2,400 farms and 15,800 hectares recorded in 2016. While primarily utilized as animal feed, soybeans are also used to a lesser extent in the production of foodstuffs.
The expansion of soybean farming is linked to the agricultural sector’s increasing vulnerability to drought conditions. Soybeans are considered a more drought-resistant crop, offering a viable alternative for farmers adapting to changing climate patterns.
Alongside crop diversification, improvements in irrigation infrastructure are also becoming apparent. The amount of potentially irrigable farmland has increased by nearly a quarter (23.9 percent) between 2009 and 2022. In 2022, approximately 791,800 hectares, or 4.8 percent of all arable land in Germany, was equipped for irrigation.
The data also highlights a move towards water-efficient irrigation techniques. The number of farms utilizing drip irrigation systems rose substantially, increasing by 78.1 percent between 2009 and 2022, reaching approximately 5,700 operations. Conversely, the number of farms employing traditional sprinkler irrigation systems experienced a slight decline of 1.9 percent over the same period, falling to just under 11,900. This shift demonstrates a growing awareness and adoption of methods aimed at minimizing water usage and maximizing agricultural yields in a changing climate.