Canadian Grocer’s Post

We wanted to know how growers around the world are feeling, adapting and contending with a changing climate. The Farmer Voice survey is the response of 800 farmers in 8 different countries. They face soaring temperatures, relentless pests and powerful winds. And yet, farmers have an unwavering commitment to feed the world. Read the full survey and see how farmers around the globe are working to overcome drought, erratic weather, invading insects and more.

🏜️In India, farmers can't find water. Over a billion to feed - In Punjab, like California, wells run dry. The price of food goes up when water goes down - Everything more expensive. Will a lack of water stop the Indian economy? When mountain glaciers melt, canals run dry. Simply switching from groundwater to river water solves nothing - When the glaciers melt, the river runs dry, too. India's northern neighbor, Giant China, needs more water every day... Water War is the face of Climate Conflict. #water #climatechange #foreignpolicy

A new report on #PrairieAg finds higher temperatures during winter/spring, reduced snowfall & more frequent/intense rainfall. This will have significant consequences, so farmers are adopting new practices that increase resilience & mitigate #ClimateChange.

"I like farming. It provides us with income, it has helped us to open a business and make good progress in life. The biggest issues we are facing here are related to climate change." -Ramesh Rajput, Small-scale Soy Farmer in India 👨🌾 👩🌾 Small-scale farmers – and by extension all of us – depend heavily on natural resources, including fertile soil, clean water, and diverse ecosystems that foster pollinators and natural pest control. Farming activities can take a toll on the environment, and small-scale farmers feel responsible for preserving it. Our #SmallFarmerAtlas found that more than half (57%) of the 10K farmers surveyed felt ill-prepared to deal with a changing climate. 3 out of 5 expressed serious concerns with the quality of soil and access to water. Concerns that continue today as we face the hottest year on record. Dig into the details on the 8 commodities covered & find out how farmers are working to balance their needs with nature. Visit www.smallfarmeratlas.info *** #sustainability #SupplyChains #SustainableAgriculture #smallholders #SmallScaleAgriculture #ClimateChange #ClimateAction

The world population is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, and to feed this number of people, food production will need to increase by 70%. Meeting this rising demand for food would mean more water and energy production, stressing and stretching further natural resources. Crop switching or crop replacement and relocating crop production is touted as a critical strategy for farmers and the agriculture sector to adapt to climate change effects like decreasing rainfall patterns, increasing air temperatures, and intensifying and lingering droughts. #climateadaptation #adaptationcasestudy #climatechange https://lnkd.in/gRGtwPaB

It is fascinating to watch the way that farmers are dealing with climate changes across the globe to ensure that production is maintained for global demand. Italy has seen the sharp end of drought in recent years. Italian rice production is facing challenging conditions, but in the face of adversity farmers are innovating new drought resistant grains such as Nuovo Prometeo that can handle difficult conditions with ease. In 2022, Italy’s Po River experienced its worst drought in 200 years, severely impacting the irrigation of rice paddies. As a result, Italy lost 26,000 hectares of rice fields and production fell by over 30%, according to the national rice authority. The drought persisted in 2023, causing another loss of 7,500 hectares. Rice farmers now face an uncertain future as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense due to rising temperatures. Nuovo Prometeo rice isn't suitable for risotto, and teams are working to develop new varieties that honour the traditional dish. Farmers report that to attract customers that they need high-quality products. Water consumption remains a concern, as some farms faced a 90% water reduction in 2022. The drought's impact was likely worsened by infrastructure issues, with Istat reporting that 42% of water was lost due to aqueduct leaks in 2020. Experts stress the need for better water storage and supply network optimization to mitigate future droughts. Farmers in Italy are calling on the government for economic investment.

El Niño’s impact on U.S. Farmers The 2024 growing season is expected to bring a unique combination of El Niño this spring through early summer before switching to La Niña in late summer through early fall. Farmers Business Network says the opposing climate patterns have the potential to trigger significant weather events that could have problematic impacts on crop production. 2023 ended with a strong El Niño, which is weakening now and will end around April. However, the long-term impacts will be felt throughout the growing season. The U.S weather patterns will likely shift back to normal between April and July, followed by a probable La Niña through September. The report also says 2024 planting dates will likely be slightly earlier for wheat and rice while remaining typical for corn. #agricultureweather #agriculture

Our centuries-old olive trees are now ready for the coming crop. Everyone is shocked by the increase in the price of #oliveoil, but we cannot forget some factors: 1. The main: the producing areas are experiencing a cycle of drought, which means a continuous drop in production; 2. We all suffer from very high inflation; 3. Perhaps most importantly: we are talking about one of the healthiest products and a fundamental pillar of the #Mediterraneandiet. Our producers are possibly the most concerned and affected, we will try to transmit our values of #quality and #sustainability. We trust in the commitment of our clients!

#India is facing an urgent crisis of land degradation and #Drought! With over 30 million hectares of #Degraded land and increasing extreme weather events, it's crucial to adopt #Climate smart practices. Precision agriculture, crop rotation, and innovative solutions like UPL's Zeba can significantly improve soil health and water efficiency. We need a collaborative approach involving farmers, government, and the private sector. Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Govt. of India Read more: https://lnkd.in/gmH3HadS 

With climate change, it's not just smallholder farmers in developing countries that are feeling the heat. Even here in the US, farmers are facing challenges due to extreme weather events and changing precipitation patterns. Resilience is key, as farmers try to make do with less resources and work hard to ensure their crops survive. It's becoming a matter of survival for smallholder farmers rather than economic prosperity. #ResilienceMakesTheDifference FCF India Fair. Inclusive. Transparent. https://lnkd.in/gGuJmbcB