Extreme weather events in agriculture: comparing risk management in the German states

Due to increasing extreme weather damage in agriculture there is a growing debate in the German federal states (Lander) about how farmers can be enabled to deal with such events more effectively in the future. Against this background, the study examines the extent to which the Lander support farmers in managing the risk of extreme weather events. Based on a survey of state ministries and other sources, it is shown that most states consider several extreme weather events as problematic for their regional agriculture. To reduce these problems, the Lander support farmers beyond financial ad-hoc aids, providing agricultural consulting as well as applied research and investment programs, such as hail protection. In addition, the ministries estimate a high overall need for further private and state risk management measures. A particularly broad consensus exists with view to better conditions for multi-peril insurance, which should enable farmers to insure themselves more effectively against droughts. The ministries differ in their assessment of the subsidies required for this purpose, but they are fundamentally opposed to subsidies financed exclusively by the states. Most ministries believe that measures to support farmers in dealing with extreme weather events should continue to be taken in coordination with the federal government.