Where and when did it rain in the field? How can water be saved during irrigation? 

AgroHyd-X aims to optimize agricultural water use in two districts in Brandenburg and at the same time improve agricultural production as a whole. By working with partners from different sectors, the project addresses the complexity of sustainable water management in agriculture, taking into account the needs and perspectives of farmers and society. It is intended to serve as a model for the entire state of Brandenburg and beyond.

The main project objectives include the installation of two or more high-resolution FURUNO weather radars in Brandenburg with the aim of improving precipitation measurements and forecasts. In addition, the data from the X-band weather radar will be coupled with the AgroHyd farm model in order to optimize water requirements. An important focus of the project is to work closely with local farmers to ensure that the water-related indicators are selected by consensus and that the software tools developed are practical and tested in real-life scenarios. To ensure acceptance by stakeholders, the project aims to develop a jointly designed, customized web service that provides information on water availability and irrigation efficiency for different crops. As farmers increasingly take on a dual role in food production and environmental protection, they also need to develop digital skills. The project aims to make a significant contribution in this area to bridge the gap between technology and agricultural practice. Through strong partnerships between the ATB, the GFZ, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) and two local farms, AgroHyd-X promotes applied agricultural research in Brandenburg and supports sustainable practices that benefit both farmers and the general public.