Record low water levels in the Po River are forcing farmers to change their crop rotation.

The historical minimum water level of the Po River, recorded on July 30 in Cremona (1 centimeter below the level of the drought-stricken 2022), has created serious risks for the agricultural sector in Northern Italy. According to the Po River Basin Authority, water inflow is less than one-third of the historical norm. The situation is complicated by abnormal heat: the high soil temperature in the river delta threatens seed germination, which can die before emergence.

To adapt to the new conditions, farmers are implementing precision farming technologies. Farms are using soil moisture sensors, weather stations, satellite data, and plant water consumption models to manage irrigation. Drip irrigation, which allows for moisture delivery directly to the root zone, is gaining popularity. At the same time, farmers are forced to change the structure of their sown areas. Crops with high water consumption, such as corn—the production of which has halved over the past two decades—are being replaced by more drought-tolerant plants, such as sorghum.

Climate change has made the river less predictable: periods of flooding are being replaced by prolonged droughts. This creates problems for the land reclamation systems originally designed to drain land in the Ferrara area. Now, engineers must solve the challenge of preserving freshwater to prevent marine salt from penetrating the soil, as the low river level allows saltwater to infiltrate more than 25 kilometers inland.

It is not only plant growers who are experiencing difficulties, but also the energy sector: due to a lack of resources, all four power units of the Isola Serafini hydroelectric power plant have been shut down. In conditions of shortage, priority is given to drinking water supply and agricultural needs. As part of resource management measures, regional authorities have permitted an increase in the water level of Lake Maggiore by 15 centimeters and have also requested that hydroelectric plant operators release additional water from alpine reservoirs to maintain water levels in the lower reaches of the Po.