Farmer attitudes on climate change 

Weather extremes are damaging farmer livelihoods, harming yields and pushing up costs. In 2019, agriculture in the US experienced its worst flooding by far, while in the EU countries like France endured their highest ever temperatures and severe droughts led to massive wildfires in Australia. Volatile weather patterns have brought with them new pests and diseases and put pressure on water and other scarce resources.

IPSOS Mori study reveals farmers are on the front line of the climate change fight

A 2020 study for Syngenta by IPSOS Mori found that 72% of farmers are worried about the impact climate change will have on crop yields, animal health and their ability to do business over the next five years. The study of large-scale farmers in the United States, France, China, Brazil, India and across Africa revealed:

Feeling the heat

Farmers are the first to feel the effects of climate change, but they are also on the front line in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Agriculture alone currently produces 12% of our global GHG emissions. That must change. Farmers need innovation to help them adapt and greatly reduce agriculture’s emissions. Improved farming practices can lower emissions by capturing more carbon in the soil.

Helping farmers, fighting climate change

We will only achieve our aims if we work in partnership with farmers. The survey also found 63% of larger farmers have already taken action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and most intend to take some form of action over the next 12 months. That’s why the new Good Growth Plan contains bold new commitments to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint, increase biodiversity and soil health, and to help farmers deal with today’s extreme weather patterns caused by climate change.