75% of farmers are open to innovation to tackle climate change, global survey reveals

Climate change is already profoundly impacting the lives of farmers around the world. According to the global " Farmer Voice " survey, conducted by Kynetec on behalf of Bayer, 75% of farmers have already been impacted or are concerned about the effects of climate change . The survey, conducted with 2,000 farmers from countries such as Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kenya, Ukraine, and the United States, shows that 71% of farmers reported reduced productivity as one of their biggest concerns.

Furthermore, 6 in 10 farmers have already faced significant income losses due to extreme weather events such as droughts or floods. To address these challenges, farmers have sought innovative solutions, with 75% open to adopting new technologies that can help them more effectively address the impacts of climate change.

Technology and regenerative agriculture as solutions

The research highlights that innovation lies not only in the use of digital technologies, but also in sustainable practices such as regenerative agriculture . More than 90% of farmers already use at least one regenerative practice on their farms, such as crop rotation and soil health monitoring. These practices are essential for increasing productivity , improving soil health, and ensuring that agricultural operations are resilient to climate change.

The use of digital tools has also been growing among farmers. About 65% of producers already use digital technologies for weather forecasting, optimizing agricultural decisions, and precision application. 88% of farmers see increased productivity as their main motivation for adopting these technologies, followed by cost reduction (85%) and improved crop quality (84%).

Future challenges: economic and political volatility

In addition to climate challenges, farmers also face concerns about economic and political volatility. The survey revealed that 37% of farmers cite climate volatility as one of their top three challenges over the next three years, while 36% mention price volatility . A growing concern in 2024 is the impact of political and regulatory decisions, with 29% of farmers citing this as a top challenge , double the number recorded the previous year.

Conclusion: the central role of the farmer in food security

Despite the adversities, the survey shows that farmers remain optimistic about the future of agriculture. 95% of farmers recognize their importance to global food security, and 91% believe they deserve more recognition for their work. They see their role as essential not only to feeding the global population but also to protecting the environment and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Sources

• AgNews - 75 percent of farmers are open to innovation to cope with climate change, global research reveals

• "Farmer Voice" survey conducted by Kynetec and commissioned by Bayer