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Saline agriculture

There are different ways salt becomes a problem. The first way is through sea level rise, which causes salt water to infiltrate into soils further inland; the second is when sweet water sources are salinized (salt contamination), often because of over-extraction of sweet groundwater. Saline agriculture, the cultivation of crops using saline water and soil, forms a promising adaptive strategy. Saline agriculture involves freshwater crops with enhanced salt tolerance or saltwater crops (like seaweed). Saline agriculture opens up new water sources, such as seawater, brackish water and possibly treated wastewater.

Approaches include the cultivation of salt-tolerant crops, soil management techniques, and irrigation management methods. Incorporation of such measures can, in addition to mitigating the adverse effects of salinization, also reduce reliance on freshwater resources and enhance the resilience of agricultural landscapes. Saline agriculture can enhance food security strategies of the Dutch Caribbean Islands.

A table showing key agronomic, engineering, policy and management options for improving irrigation, drainage and soil conditions.

Feasibility & Local Applicability

Saline agriculture can be a potential strategy to deal with increasingly saline environments on Aruba, St. Martin and Curacao. Using salt irrigation water on lands that are not autonomously salinizing must be avoided as much as possible. Investing in sweet water harvesting and groundwater infiltration is the better long-term strategy. For areas below/near sea level (south Bonaire) where saltiness is a given, such considerations are not relevant.

Co-benefits

  • Food security
  • Freshwater use reduction
  • Can provide long term perspective for autonomously salinizing areas.

Equity & Vulnerability Considerations

Doing saline agriculture on salt contaminated soils is a feasible local option but reduces the overall resilience of the island by continuing contamination rather than improving freshwater infiltration/reducing extraction.

Costs

Low

Case studies & Examples

Literature

Adaptation Options Overview