Why does agriculture play a larger role in Lower Saxony than in many other German states?

Agriculture remains a traditional mainstay of the economy in Lower Saxony, playing a more significant role there than in many other German states due to the region's diverse and productive geography.1

The state benefits from varied terrain that supports extensive farming:
* Fertile Soils: The southern uplands feature troughlike valleys with high-quality land, while a narrow east-west zone known as the Börde contains rich loess soil, which is highly conducive to agriculture.2
* Marshlands: Fertile marshes located at the mouths of rivers flowing into the North Sea primarily support a pasture economy.2
* Land Reclamation: In regions like Emsland, farmers have historically transformed peat bogs into productive farmland by mixing peat with sand, fertilizers, and manure.1

These natural advantages, combined with technologically advanced, capital-intensive farming practices, allow the state to maintain a robust output of crops—such as wheat, rye, potatoes, and sugar beets—as well as dairy and beef cattle.1