By Abbas Nazil
Scottish farmers and growers have been urged to prepare for increasing water shortages as climate change continues to alter rainfall patterns and trigger longer, more frequent periods of dry weather that threaten agricultural productivity, freshwater ecosystems and rural livelihoods.
The warning was issued by the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW), a Scottish Government-funded organisation based at The James Hutton Institute, which works to bridge scientific research and water policy by providing evidence-based guidance to policymakers and stakeholders.
According to CREW, climate change is making water resources less predictable across Scotland, meaning water can no longer be regarded as an abundant and reliable resource throughout the year.
The organisation warned that prolonged dry conditions will place additional pressure on farming activities, freshwater habitats and wildlife, making water management an increasingly critical issue for the agricultural sector.
CREW Director, Dr. Miriam Glendell, said many farmers are already experiencing the effects of climate change in their daily operations through changing weather patterns and increasing water stress.
She noted that scientific research indicates drought conditions affecting river flows are expected to occur twice as often by 2050 compared with current levels, underscoring the need for farmers and agricultural businesses to strengthen their resilience against future water shortages.
Glendell stressed that proactive planning and investment in sustainable water supplies will be essential for protecting agricultural production as climate impacts become more severe.
To help address the challenge, CREW recently published a practical guide titled *Planning for Water Scarcity*, aimed at supporting Scottish farmers and growers in preparing for future drought conditions.
The guidance was developed in collaboration with SRUC, The James Hutton Institute, the University of Aberdeen and the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS).
According to the organisation, the publication provides practical advice on changing water availability across Scotland and outlines alternative and supplementary water supply options that can help sustain agricultural activities during prolonged dry periods.
The guide also enables farmers to assess their exposure to water scarcity, evaluate their individual level of drought risk and identify measures that can protect livestock welfare and maintain crop productivity during periods of reduced water availability.
It includes practical recommendations on efficient water use, irrigation management and water storage, supported by real-life examples of farms that have successfully strengthened their resilience through improved planning and resource management.
In addition, the publication contains tools that allow farmers to develop personalised drought risk profiles and prepare tailored weather resilience plans suited to the specific needs of their farming operations.
The guidance has also been incorporated into the Scottish Government’s *Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture*, reinforcing its importance as part of the country’s broader environmental and agricultural sustainability strategy.
CREW noted that it has previously published forecasts highlighting the growing risks of water scarcity and its likely effects on crop production, livestock farming and Scotland’s distillery industry.
Those projections indicate that eastern Scotland is expected to experience greater rainfall deficits during the summer months, while uncertainty remains over rainfall patterns during April and September.
The organisation further projected that the number and duration of surface water drought events are likely to double by 2050 as climate change intensifies.
Researchers also expressed concern about the long-term resilience of groundwater resources, particularly in areas with limited natural storage capacity and declining groundwater recharge.
According to CREW, improving scientific understanding of the different dimensions of water scarcity and accelerating the adoption of available adaptation measures will be critical to safeguarding Scotland’s agricultural sector and water resources.
The organisation emphasised that preparing for future water shortages through better planning, sustainable water management and climate adaptation will help farmers protect food production, strengthen resilience and reduce the impacts of increasingly frequent drought conditions driven by climate change.