After the cold, it is the lack of water that begins to worry the agricultural world. Lots of wind and little precipitation this winter have dried up the soil. If we are not yet talking about drought, the situation is worrying. Example in the Drôme valley.
–
Activity frozen by frost for Fabien Lombard, winemaker from Suze, in Drôme. “Last year we were already four or five in the vineyard, to do the budding. But there, since this famous episode of frost, it has been a real stop for the vegetation. Nothing is happening. The buds have not moved too much.. ”he explains.
Drought is already threatening viticulture
And yet, with a 15 to 20% loss, the appellation “clairette de Die” is a survivor, if we compare with the damage suffered by all the vineyards of the Rhône valley.
On the other hand, anxiety is growing, now, at the foot of the vines. “You have to dig a while to find the humidity“Fabien points out. A particularly dry land for the end of April. Which means an early and worrying lack of water.
“Even if there was rainfall, it did not benefit the soil” estimates this winegrower in the Drôme
•
© Stéphane Hyvon
–
“Today, the vine does not need water since it is in the process of budding. But she’s going to need it in July and August. And today the sources and reserves are quite low“deplores this winegrower.”Even though there was rainfall, it did not benefit the soil. Today, we have water deficits, a grass that does not grow in the plots, and soils that are starting to harden. And therefore also difficulties for working the soil in viticulture.“
Lavender is no better off
At the foot of the Vercors, in Chamaloc (26), another culture, that of lavender … and the same concern.
“We are on a plot of lavender that we planted last week, because they announced rain. As these are very small plants, it must fall within 8 days, otherwise all is lost “testifies Alain Aubanel, lavandiculteur.
“If it doesn’t rain very quickly, it will be a disaster.” testifies this Drôme lavandiculteur
•
© Stéphane Hyvon
–
But this rain never arrived on this young plot which could be lost due to lack of precipitation. Especially since the winter, particularly windy, dried up the soil. A climate change that this farmer has observed from year to year. “It is becoming more and more recurrent. We have very heavy periods of rain, and we stayed three months without being able to enter the fields. And overnight, it’s dry. So there, if it doesn’t rain very quickly, it will be a disaster.“he testifies.
Rain is forecast for next week. It remains to be seen whether it will fall sufficiently to recharge the water tables … and save the crops in the Drôme valley.
–
