Agricultural water management - Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation (MaRa)

The progression of climate change and the need to adapt to its impacts pose major challenges for agricultural production in Finland. Statistics show that the climate in Finland has been warming significantly faster than in many other regions. In northern latitudes, changes in temperature and precipitation are greater, and extreme weather events are intensifying, which may mean prolonged droughts, altered winter conditions, or, for example, heavy rainfall. In northern conditions, even small changes in temperature can have significant hydrological impacts because they affect snowmelt and water storage.

A prerequisite for practicing agriculture is good field water management. Climate change introduces new challenges that directly affect yield potential. In the current political context, this is also a major issue for national security of supply. Through active water management, the extreme weather events caused by climate change can be better controlled and anticipated in agriculture. The MaRa project (Agricultural Water Management – Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation) responds to this need by developing expertise, methods, and practical solutions for agricultural water management that enable the identification of the most cost-effective adaptation measures for different regions and field types.

The goal of the project is to strengthen the capacity of farmers, agricultural water management planners, contractors, and experts to select methods that are suited to local conditions. Another objective is to create a GIS-based method for identifying fields with different hydrological characteristics. This includes piloting the database for field drainage maps in a broader scope than before, enabling more accurate assessment of drainage system condition and potential in a changing climate, for example to support future investment decisions.

Key results include an extensive measurement dataset on groundwater levels from fields of various types located on partner farms across different regions, combined with, among other factors, crop yield data. These demonstrate, under real conditions and based on farmers’ own management choices, the diverse ways and opportunities for adapting to climate change across Finland. The project will produce a new method for farmers and planners to assess the water management potential of different field sites. The project will also compile a nationwide survey dataset on the current state of water management and climate risks in agriculture. The results will be used in workshops, training sessions, and national communication activities that enhance the competence and cooperation of various actors.

In terms of impact, the project will strengthen long-term professional expertise in water management by improving agriculture’s adaptive capacity and the anticipation of climate risks, as well as enabling the targeting of water management measures to hydrologically suitable locations. The new use of the database of field drainage maps opens up extensive application possibilities, for example for the national greenhouse gas inventory and for catchment-level planning. The project creates a foundation for climate-resilient agriculture in which field water management and production security are maintained under changing conditions.

The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is the project’s main implementer, and the Drainage Association is a project partner. The project period is from October 1st 2026 to June 30th 2029.