Majority of farmers affected by climate change, reveals survey

The 2024 Farmer Voice survey indicates that 75% of farmers are impacted by climate change, with 71% noting diminished yields. Farmers in India are grappling with increasing expenses, especially for crop protection and labor, while showing significant willingness to embrace new technologies.

The 2024 Farmer Voice survey, conducted by Kynetec on behalf of Bayer, surveyed 2,000 farmers across countries including Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kenya, Ukraine, and the United States. It found that 75% of farmers are already feeling the effects of climate change or are concerned about its impact. Additionally, 71% reported reduced yields as a significant issue. The survey revealed that 60% of farmers have faced notable revenue losses due to unusual weather events. In response, 75% of farmers expressed openness to adopting new technologies to better adapt to climate change, driven by their desire for improved yields, enhanced farm resilience, and protected livelihoods.

Krishna Kumar, Ceo of Cropin, says, their technology uses Gen AI,  which helps in addressing climate crisis in agriculture, “as it empowers decision-makers with comprehensive insights into their agri-food operations, including historical crop performance, weather parameters influencing specific crops, and crop suitability recommendations based on changing climate conditions for optimal yield.” 

In India, the survey highlighted that 41% of farmers identified pest attacks as their primary concern, resulting in increased spending on crop protection. 36% of respondents cited volatile weather as a major challenge, while most Indian farmers believe they deserve greater recognition and support. The survey revealed that 90% of farmers feel their role in ensuring food security is critical and that they should be heard more in discussions about agriculture.

Rising Costs and Labour Availability

The rising costs of crop protection—specifically herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides—were identified as the top challenge for 36% of respondents. 32% cited the increasing costs and availability of labor as a significant concern. Other major challenges facing Indian farmers include price volatility, high fertilizer costs, energy expenses, seed prices, and difficulties accessing information about new agricultural techniques. Negative public perceptions of farmers and challenges in accessing new technologies and markets were also noted.

Barriers to Technology Adoption

Climate change remains a pressing issue for Indian farmers, with nearly all having either experienced its adverse effects or anticipate facing them in the near future. Many farmers associate climate change with increased pest pressure, which leads to reduced yields and lower crop quality. Despite the current low adoption rates of digital technologies, a majority of farmers expressed strong interest in implementing them, driven by the potential for increased profits and cost savings. However, investment requirements and accessibility pose significant barriers to widespread adoption.

The survey indicated that while many Indian farmers practice regenerative agriculture, focusing on soil health, a lack of knowledge and understanding hinders broader adoption. Although 80% of farmers are using at least four to five regenerative practices, a third remain unaware of the term “regenerative agriculture.” For these farmers, enhancing soil health is the primary goal, with improved yields seen as a secondary benefit.

Rodrigo Santos, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President of the Crop Science Division, stated, “The Farmer Voice study underlines that farmers continue to face accelerating economic and environmental challenges in their important work – providing food to the world. They 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.”

He added, “One of the most pressing questions is how we can meet the demands of protecting the planet, producing enough food, and ensuring that farmers can sustain their livelihoods.” He noted that one solution lies in the concept of regenerative agriculture, which aims to increase food production, farm incomes, and resilience in a changing climate while restoring nature. “This evolution will require a joint effort of farmers, society, and businesses.” Encouragingly, farmers have already begun this journey, with over 90% adopting at least one regenerative farming practice in their operations.