Gewassenschade

Gewassenschade is a Dutch agricultural term referring to damage to crops (gewassen) that results in yield loss or quality deterioration. It encompasses a wide range of causes, from weather extremes to biological threats and agronomic factors.

Common causes include drought and waterlogging, hail, frost, heavy rain, wind damage, pest outbreaks (insects, fungi, viruses), plant diseases, nutrient deficiencies, and salinization. Damage can be direct (plants killed or torn) or indirect (stunted growth, poorer quality, increased susceptibility to disease).

Assessment and reporting: Damage is assessed by field inspections, yield measurements, and quality grading, often compared with expected yields under normal conditions. In practice, claims for gewassenschade are handled by crop insurers or public relief schemes, requiring documentation such as field records, photos, and weather data.

Impact and management: Gewassenschade reduces farm income and may affect the supply chain. Farmers can mitigate risk through crop insurance, diversification, risk-sharing contracts, protective measures (hail nets, drainage, irrigation management), crop rotation, and timely pest and disease control.

Policy context: The Netherlands uses various instruments to address gewassenschade, including private crop insurance and public support programs. The term highlights the vulnerability of agricultural production to environmental variability and the importance of risk management in farming.