Did you know wool also keeps crops cool?

June 17th is the world day to combat desertification and drought. This issue affects not only arid regions, but also parts of Europe. In this endeavour, even the smallest effort can make a difference: Some farmers are revisiting an age-old material (wool) to tackle today’s challenges like drought. Wool holds up to 30 times its weight in water, slowly releasing moisture into the soil and helping keep it cool. Also, wool has the potential to provide nutrients, as it breaks down, and helps reduce weed pressure. Examples of crops where use of wool is reported include cabbage, strawberries, and vineyards.  

There are many ways to improve water use efficiency and crop resilience. Enabling the development of resilient varieties using plant breeding innovations, such as genome editing, can help farmers be timely equipped to face climate change and water shortages. Coupled with other practices such as data-driven decision-making tools, precision irrigation systems, real-time soil monitoring, and sustainable land management practices, these innovations can help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions while safeguarding productivity.