irrigation

Water is a big deal in the east of England, which we also rely on to provide the lion’s share of our food, this story exemplifies the challenge. It tells us:

Potato farmers are being forced to trial an ‘expensive’ new irrigation system because water levels are so low that a severe shortage of the vegetable has been predicted.

A lack of rainfall last year and so far this year means that irrigation prospects across the country are low, meaning that new measures are having to be put in place in order to ensure at least some potatoes grow.

The latest information for the Environment Agency shows the chips are down for potato growers; river flows are below normal for this time of year, with irrigation prospects declared “moderate to poor” for many areas.

Prospects for East Anglia, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire are described as “poor”, while the situation in Yorkshire and the East Midlands is “moderate”.

A dry winter and a summer drought last year put increased pressure on water supplies, and there has not since been enough rain to counteract this.

The situation for potatoes could be even graver than it was last year, when restaurants including fast-food outlet Leon were forced to replace potato products with imported sweet potatoes.

A spokesperson from ADHB potatoes said that trials of drip irrigation, a new way to enrich the soil with water, are taking place to safeguard the soil against drought.