Climate change
impacts on
water for
horticulture
Climate change threatens to reduce the
reliability of water supplies for horticultural
production. This guide describes how it might
impact on irrigation water use and the range
of adaptation options available to growers.
02 Climate change impacts on water for horticulture
Water for horticulture -
current use and future
trends
Underpinning the rural economy
The UK horticulture sector represents a broad spectrum of
agribusinesses, involving growers in the production of a wide
range of commodities. Sectors include field-scale vegetables,
protected crops, bulbs and outdoor flowers, hardy nursery stock,
mushrooms, orchard fruit, and soft fruit. Collectively, these make a
significant contribution to the UK economy, both in terms of rural
employment and income.
Horticulture and agriculture provides nearly a quarter of all
employment in the environmental, food chain, and rural sectors.
In 2006, it was estimated that the horticultural and agricultural
sectors each employed over 100,000 people. In economic terms both
are also very important; although they account for only a very small
proportion of the total cropped area nationally (4%), they represent
over 20% in terms of crop value.
A significant proportion of horticultural holdings, both large and
small scale, traditional and organic, are dependent on irrigation to
provide the high quality continuous supplies of premium quality
produce demanded by the major multiples, processors, and retailers.
Irrigated horticulture represents only 1% of total water use nationally.
However, during times of drought, irrigated production is last in
line when it comes to water allocation. Other users – domestic,
industrial, and the environment - are all given preference. This policy,
together with changes in water regulation has meant that many
growers are reluctant to invest in long-term irrigation infrastructure.
With climate change the current situation will get worse; hotter, drier
summers will reduce water availability and wi