From Argentina to India and across Europe, discontent among farmers underscores pressing issues affecting global food security. According to the March Market Monitor report by the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), worldwide farmers protests are reveal systemic challenges within the agrifood sector. It calls for a deep understanding of existing policies and frameworks at both national and global levels, coupled with targeted interventions for climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture practices.
The report notes that these protests, driven by concerns over inadequate compensation and escalating input costs, pose significant implications for the global food supply chain. "Farmers' protests underscore the challenges in agrifood system transformation, at the nexus of food security, farmers' livelihoods, and climate change issues," the report emphasizes.
In Argentina, farmers demanded lower taxes and more favorable exchange rates amid historical droughts and economic struggles in early 2023. Similarly, Indian farmers took to the streets in February 2024, calling for legislation to guarantee minimum support prices for crops, as highlighted in the report: "In India, unrest broke out in February 2024 as farmers demanded a law guaranteeing a minimum support price for a broad range of crops to protect farmers against price fluctuations."
Europe has also witnessed widespread demonstrations, with grievances ranging from tax policy changes in Germany to concerns over unfair competition from Ukrainian imports in Poland. The report underscores the complexity of agricultural policies, which have evolved to encompass broader objectives such as climate change mitigation and environmental preservation. However, it warns that conditioning support on these goals risks undermining the competitiveness of domestic producers internationally.
Efforts to address these challenges must prioritize market transparency and policy coherence, as stated in the report: "Efforts to increase market and policy transparency need to continue across the entire agri-food system." It calls for a deep understanding of existing policies and frameworks at both national and global levels, coupled with targeted interventions for climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture practices.
The report highlights the urgency of reforming the agrifood system to meet the triple challenge of providing adequate, affordable, and nutritious food while ensuring livelihoods and environmental sustainability. Collaborative efforts grounded in transparency and coherence are essential to navigating these complex issues and shaping a more equitable and resilient agrifood future.
Mention: Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS)