A Belgian organic farmer has garnered attention for his long-term success in cultivating crops without the use of artificial irrigation, even as regional drought conditions have intensified. Diederik Steyaert, who operates Bioboerderij De Zaaier in the West Flanders region, reports that he has not irrigated his outdoor fields for 26 years. While the surface of his soil often appears parched, he maintains that the ground remains cool and moist just a few centimetres below the top layer.
Steyaert’s approach centres on the philosophy that healthy, living soil can act as a natural reservoir. By avoiding conventional ploughing and limiting the use of artificial inputs, he has cultivated a soil structure that he claims is capable of retaining sufficient moisture to support a variety of vegetables, including potatoes, fennel, and red beets. His methods have been documented by various reports, which highlight the farm's transition toward building organic matter over several years.
Cultivating Soil Health as a Water Reservoir
The core of Steyaert’s strategy involves the consistent application of organic material, such as chopped straw, grass, and leaves. This matter is incorporated into the fields with minimal soil disturbance, which he argues prevents compaction and allows for a more porous structure. The presence of organic fibres, combined with the activity of earthworms, bacteria, and fungi, creates a network of channels that facilitate water penetration and retention. According to Steyaert, this process is not instantaneous; it can take approximately five years for a plot of land to develop the necessary organic composition to sustain crops without supplemental water.
To further manage moisture, the farm utilizes GPS-guided tractors that operate on permanent driving paths, ensuring that the majority of the growing area remains uncompressed. Additionally, Steyaert employs a specific hoeing technique that disturbs only the top two centimetres of soil. He explains that this practice disrupts the capillary pathways that would otherwise allow moisture to travel to the surface and evaporate. Consequently, the dry top layer serves as a protective barrier, shielding the damp soil underneath from the heat.
Resilience and Agricultural Implications
Steyaert asserts that his focus on soil health results in more resilient plants that are better equipped to withstand environmental stress, including drought and disease. He attributes the flavour and health of his produce to this natural growing cycle, noting that his vegetables are grown without pesticides or artificial fertilisers. While his farm does use minimal water in greenhouses for specific crops like tomatoes, the outdoor fields remain entirely dependent on natural rainfall.
Agricultural organisations, including MVO Vlaanderen, have observed the farm's progress, noting that the soil’s water-holding capacity improved significantly after the cessation of artificial fertiliser use. While experts caution that results depend on factors such as soil composition, climate, and crop variety, Steyaert’s experience offers a perspective on agricultural water management. His results suggest that, in certain conditions, the focus of drought mitigation may shift from securing additional water sources to enhancing the soil's inherent ability to store and protect the water it receives.
