New agricultural techniques reduce soil erosion by 95%

The erosion of agricultural lands reduces farmers’ profits, but it also causes mud streams that make streets dirty and means that remnants of crop protection products end up in sewers. For years, farmers and scientists have been trying to find solutions for these problems.

With farmers in Bilzen, Limburg, Bayer CropScience has now successfully tested new techniques. Special ploughs were used, with which the soil is lifted slightly but not turned around. Using this technique, less mud flows away. Another technique is the sowing of grass between crops like corn, with the grass holding back the water that would otherwise easily flow away.

“This all leads to spectacular results,” said Marc Sneyders, sustainable operations manager at Bayer CropScience. “We have determined up to 95% less erosion of the soil.”

The project will now be presented to other farmers who are dealing with erosion. “In this way, they will have the necessary techniques and materials when the government makes it obligatory to take measures against erosion,” said Sneyders.

Photo by Matthias Ripp