Agriculture is 1 of the oldest professions in the planet – fundamental to our survival, but besides highly psychologically burdensome. present European farmers, from the north of Sweden to confederate France, are alarming: their intellectual wellness is in crisis. Main causes? Overregulation, financial instability, deficiency of remainder and social isolation.
Many farmers believe that excessive regulation from Brussels is 1 of the main sources of intellectual exhaustion. Complicated bureaucracy, regular checks, changing documentation requirements – all this causes frustration, stress and a sense of powerlessness.
Swedish study RA25:3 published by Jordbruksverket – Swedish Agriculture Council – confirms these observations: 77% of respondents identified regulation and bureaucracy as the main origin of stress. In addition, there are inspections (58%), dense workload (57%) and economical force (49%).
Farmers stress that EU rules are frequently disconnected from the realities of agrarian life. Examples? Documentary requirements for the usage of fertilisers and plant protection products that change from year to year and require regular, time-consuming training. There is frequently a deficiency of coherence between the requirements and the digital systems to be operated by them – resulting in errors, threats of penalties and the request to translate before officials, even though production and the environment have not been affected.
Many farmers describe a situation where they spend most of their time at the computer, filling out forms alternatively of dealing with animals, machines or crops. 1 of the respondents commented:
“I feel more like an accountant than a farmer. Any mistake in the strategy can cost me thousands of crowns.”
Another added:
"Instead of working in the field, I sit on the tables and effort to realize what the fresh request of the European Commission means".
The problem is besides the differences in the explanation of the rules by individual associate States – what is considered standard in Germany can be the basis for a punishment in Sweden. Farmers feel that alternatively of the common agricultural policy, they are dealing with a maze where they are easy lost and hard to find help.
Such supervision, in explanation designed to advance sustainable and liable agriculture, can in practice be repressive and ineffective. alternatively of strengthening farmers, it cuts their wings – especially the smaller ones, who have no staff resources to handle the increasing number of formalities. Many of them can't stand the force – and they quit their profession or fall into health.
Loneliness and deficiency of support
Farmers frequently work alone, distant from larger centres. The study shows that as many as 33% of Swedish farmers work alone and many of them besides live alone. This means no regular social contact and difficulty sharing problems. The intellectual burden deepens by feeling alone and deficiency of support, which can lead to depression and burnout.
In particular, women, young farmers and those with little than 10 years of experience are vulnerable. In this group, symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts frequently occurred – until 8% of the respondents admitted that they were considering taking their own life.
No leave and no recovery
Living on a farm doesn't give you much space to rest. More than half of Swedish farmers (58%) admit that they cannot take leave to the degree they wish. all 4th year, he hasn't had any vacations in the last year. There are no people to help, there is no money to hire a replacement, and responsibilities do not know pity – animals must be fed regardless of the period or wellness condition.
Many farmers virtually cannot afford to be sick – there is no strategy that would let them to remainder or treat without the hazard that everything would collapse.
Economics versus Psychics
Numerous studies indicate that economical prosperity is simply a key origin affecting farmers' intellectual health. The volatility of buying-in prices, the advanced cost of fertilizers, fuel or machinery, as well as the uncertainty about subsidies – all of this makes working on the farm like gambling.
Report RA25:3 It follows that only 4% of Swedish farmers considered their financial situation very good. Most of them balance at the cost limit. And while farmers declare that they love their work, they feel exploited by a strategy in which "everything revolves around paper discipline alternatively than production."
Statistics are disturbing. 17% of Swedish farmers endure from average to severe symptoms of depression. 11% admits that in the past year they thought life was not worth the trouble. As much as 47% wondered about the early completion of the job.
These numbers should be an alarm signal – especially as akin trends are seen across Europe. In Ireland, 1 in 4 farmers conflict with occupational burnout, and in France there is an average of 1 suicide among farmers all another day.
What helps farmers?
Despite the overwhelming challenges, there are besides factors that have a affirmative impact on the intellectual welfare of farmers. The anticipation of surviving in the countryside, the proximity of nature, the variability of seasons and independency – the ability to manage your time and company independently is highly appreciated.
Farmers who can manage stress better (so-called coping) have strong intellectual opposition and support from family, friends and institutions – they do much better. besides crucial are the possibilities of physical regeneration – access to sports, hobbies or even short holidays.
System changes needed
The Jordbruksverket study clearly indicates – self-saving and individual strategies are not enough. strategy changes are needed:
- Reduction of bureaucracy – simplification and simplification of controls.
- Psychological support – “First intellectual Assistance” programmes for farmers and their advisers.
- Functional substitution systems – especially for dairy producers and animal owners.
- Access to wellness care adapted to the realities of agrarian life.
- Stable economical conditions – better matching agricultural subsidies and policies with real costs and challenges.
Conclusion
The intellectual wellness of farmers is not only a individual drama – it is besides a question of food safety and social stability. Without healthy, motivated and supported farmers, agriculture cannot be maintained in Europe. The problems investigated in Sweden are very akin to those observed in Poland.
Farmers do not ask for mercy – they want understanding, fair conditions and opportunities for average life. It is time to halt treating them like cogs in the EU device and start seeing people behind those who all day make certain that there is no shortage of bread, milk and vegetables on our tables.
