71 per cent of farmers say that climate change already has a large impact on their farm, and even more are worried about the impact this will have in the future.
Farmers voice survey conducted in Kenya, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Ukraine, and the United States also reveals that 73 per cent of farmers have experienced increasing pest and disease pressure.
On average farmers estimate that their incomes had reduced by 15.7 per cent due to climate change in the past two years. One in six farmers even identifies income losses of over 25 per cent during this period.
These are some of the key findings from the “Farmer Voice” survey, which reveals the challenges facing farmers around the world as they try to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adapt for the future. To conduct the “Farmer Voice”, life science company Bayer commissioned an agency to independently interview 800 farmers globally.
Farmers expect the repercussions of climate change to continue. Three-quarters of them globally (76 per cent) are worried about the impact that climate change will have on their farm, with farmers in Kenya and India most concerned.
“Farmers are already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change on their fields and at the same time they play a key role in tackling this huge challenge. This is why it is so important to put their voice front and center. The losses reported in this survey make the direct threat climate change poses to global food security crystal clear. In the face of a growing world population, the results must be a catalyst for efforts to make agriculture regenerative,” said Rodrigo Santos, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President of the Crop Science Division.
Economic challenges are compounding farmer pressures
While climate change is a dominant overarching theme, economic challenges are the biggest priority over the next three years. Over half (55 per cent) of farmers placed fertilizer costs among the top three challenges, followed by energy costs (47 per cent), price and income volatility (37 per cent), and the cost of crop protection (36 per cent). The importance of fertilizer costs becomes most apparent in Kenya, India, and Ukraine.
In Ukraine, 70 per cent of farmers named fertilizer costs as one of the top three challenges, showing that the concrete materialized consequences of the war pose big pressures on farmers in the country. In addition, 40 per cent named general disruption due to the war as a top challenge. Apart from that Ukrainian farmers share many of the same characteristics of their global peers, for example more than three-quarters (77 per cent) state that climate change has already largely impacted their farm.
Farmers are taking steps to mitigate climate change and value innovation
More than 80 per cent of surveyed farmers are already taking or planning to take steps to apply measures that contribute to reducing greenhouse gases. The top focus areas are using cover crops (43 per cent do so already or intend to do so), using renewable energy or biofuels (37 per cent) and using innovative seeds to reduce fertilizer or crop protection use (33 per cent). Alongside this, every single farmer surveyed claims to already apply or plans to apply measures to help biodiversity. Over half (54 per cent) say they already apply measures to protect insects, such as insect hotels, or plan to do so in the next three years.
To be ready for the future, farmers value innovation. Over half (53 per cent) of them say access to seeds and traits designed to better cope with extreme weather would most benefit their farm. A similar number (50 per cent) called for better crop protection technology. 42 per cent said that better access to irrigation technology would benefit their farm. Looking at their practices, improving efficient land use, diversifying crops, and better soil health were ranked as the most important routes to success.
Spotlight: Indian smallholder farmers are focused on mitigating risk
In addition to the global survey where farmers were interviewed independently, Bayer interviewed 2,056 Indian smallholder farmers from its customer base. It is a unique glimpse into the perspectives of smallholders who are key to securing the world’s food supply. Currently, their biggest challenges are high labor and fertilizer costs. Yet they are also impacted by climate change: Many of them expect reduced crop yields (42 per cent) and higher pest pressures because of changing weather (31 per cent). Unlike large-scale growers, the smallholders interviewed in India are focused on mitigating risks, prioritizing financial security through insurance (26 per cent) and infrastructure (21 per cent).
When asked about the future, 60 per cent said they would benefit most from access to digital technologies and modern crop protection. Despite all the challenges, Indian smallholders remain optimistic: 8 in every 10 farmers feel positive about the future of farming.
The survey results are a valuable indicator of smallholder priorities and needs in India, contributing to Bayer’s smallholder farming strategy with the goal to support 100 million smallholders by 2030. In 2022, the company reached 52 million with its products and services.
Farmers agree on global challenges
Overall, the “Farmer Voice” survey shows that farmers around the world largely share a common view about the challenges of today and the prospects for the future. While there are slight differences between countries, the overarching issues of climate change and economic pressures are of similar concern to all.
“Farmers are facing multiple and related challenges. But despite this, we found that they are hopeful – almost three-quarters say they feel positive about the future of farming in their country,” said Rodrigo Santos. “This is impressive and encouraging. The views expressed by farmers in the report need to be widely seen and understood. They are a call to action for the entire food system to innovate, collaborate, and deliver the solutions farmers need – and we as Bayer are eager to play a leading role in these efforts. There is little time to waste.”
Private Sector Investment Key in Fight Against Climate Change – UN – Kenyan Wallstreet
