Ruud Vossebeld says he will have to ‘step up’ if he doesn’t want his harvest to fall into the water due to the persistent drought. For the arable farmer from Beemte-Broekland, six hectares full of onions are at risk due to the spraying ban in the Veluwe. The alarm bells are ringing. “I can’t afford any mistakes.”
Spray, spray and spray some more. Every year, Vossebeld needs liters of water to grow its seed onions, seed potatoes or winter wheat. The arable farmer from Beemte-Broekland is willing to pay for it if he wants to be able to harvest well in August and September. However, that may cost a bit.
“I have already lost fifteen thousand euros to my country this year,” says Vossebeld. He mentions the amount without batting an eyelid. Like it’s nothing. “That is not just about watering, but also about tillage, plowing, sowing or fertilising.
You can replace your house or shed, but your land is your most precious possession,” Vossebeld believes. “And then it remains to be seen what all this work ultimately yields. Usually between 3000 and 5000 per hectare, but that is the question now.”
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