Water management guidelines for agriculture and forestry

Abstract

The guidelines describe the environment where water management in agriculture and forestry takes place and the societal expectations involved in this, and sets targets for future actions. They also examine the role of water resources management in ensuring sustainable food production and bioeconomy. Based on the results presented by the working group, the guidelines define targets for sustainable water management in agriculture and forestry and the key water management measures to solve challenges brought by the changing environment, climate and water conditions.

The proposed water management measures have been divided into six categories: Governance measures, financing, planning and implementation, research and development, education, training and advice, and digitalisation. They key measures include investments in studies on the level of catchments, understanding the current state of and opportunities offered by water management measures, ensuring the numbers and level of competence of water management planners, contractors, advisers and experts, and new and innovative solutions through research, pilot projects and digitalisation. Financial and other steering instruments must be developed to appropriately promote these targets and measures. The work was carried out in cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finnish Field Drainage Association and Tapio.