Key Takeaways:
- 75% of farmers are impacted by climate change or concerned about its effects.
- 71% of farmers cite reduced yields as a significant challenge.
- 60% of farmers report revenue losses due to abnormal weather events.
- 75% of farmers are open to adopting new technologies to mitigate climate change impacts.
- The findings are based on the 2024 Farmer Voice survey, which gathered responses from 2,000 farmers across eight countries.
Farmers Confront Climate Change and Turn to Innovation
A significant portion of the global farming community is already facing the effects of climate change or expressing concern about future impacts, according to the 2024 Farmer Voice survey, commissioned by Bayer and conducted by global market research firm Kynetec. The survey, which collected responses from 2,000 farmers across Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kenya, Ukraine, and the United States, revealed that 75% of farmers are either impacted by or concerned about climate change.
Reduced yields were identified as a primary concern for 71% of farmers, while 60% of respondents reported revenue losses due to abnormal weather events. In response to these challenges, 75% of farmers expressed openness to adopting new technologies to better cope with climate-related impacts.
Key Challenges: Weather Volatility and Economic Pressures
The survey results highlighted that farmers are dealing with multiple challenges, including weather volatility and economic instability. According to the survey, 37% of respondents listed extreme weather events as a top challenge for the next three years, while 36% cited price and income volatility. An increase in political and regulatory concerns was also noted, with 29% of farmers identifying it as a top challenge, double the figure from the previous year.
Rodrigo Santos, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President of the Crop Science Division, commented on the findings, stating, “The Farmer Voice study underlines that farmers continue to face accelerating economic and environmental challenges in their important work – providing food to the world.”
Adoption of Digital Technologies and Regenerative Practices: Farmers Solution?
Digital tools are playing an increasingly important role in helping farmers manage their operations. According to the survey, nearly two-thirds of farmers currently use digital technologies, with another 25% planning to adopt them in the future. The main motivations for digital tool adoption include improving crop yields, reducing costs, and enhancing crop quality.
Farmers are also integrating regenerative agricultural practices into their operations to address soil health and productivity concerns. More than 90% of respondents reported using at least one regenerative practice, with the most common being crop rotation and soil fertility management.
Santos noted the importance of these practices, stating, “Farmers want innovation to help them do their jobs better, and an environment in which they can increasingly turn towards regenerative practices making food systems more resilient – to the benefit of the planet, food security, and their livelihoods alike.”
Regional Variations in Technology Adoption
The survey results also indicated a digital divide between countries with large numbers of smallholder farmers and those with larger-scale operations. While 65% of farmers globally use digital tools, the figures are lower in countries like China (49%), Kenya (42%), and India (8%). However, the survey shows a strong intention among farmers in these regions to increase their use of digital tools in the future, with 85% of Indian farmers planning to adopt more digital solutions.
Farmers’ Role in Food Security
Despite the challenges, the survey indicated that farmers maintain a strong sense of purpose regarding their role in food production. According to the results, 95% of farmers see their work as essential to ensuring global food security, and 91% feel they deserve greater recognition for their contributions. Two-thirds of respondents said they would encourage future generations to pursue farming.
The 2024 Farmer Voice survey was independently conducted by Kynetec, covering a representative sample of farmers across the eight participating countries. Respondents were unaware that the survey was commissioned by Bayer to ensure unbiased responses. The survey provides valuable insights into the challenges and solutions identified by farmers as they navigate climate change, economic volatility, and evolving agricultural practices.
Read the complete survey here.
