Climate Change—Between “Myth and Truth” in Romanian Farmers’ Perception

Marius Mihai Micu, Toma Adrian Dinu, Gina Fintineru, Valentina Constanta Tudor, Elena Stoian, Eduard Alexandru Dumitru, Paula Stoicea and Adina Iorga
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Marius Mihai Micu: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 010961 Bucharest, Romania
Toma Adrian Dinu: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 010961 Bucharest, Romania
Gina Fintineru: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 010961 Bucharest, Romania
Valentina Constanta Tudor: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 010961 Bucharest, Romania
Elena Stoian: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 010961 Bucharest, Romania
Eduard Alexandru Dumitru: Office for Rural Development, Research Institute for Agriculture Economy and Rural Development, 010961 Bucharest, Romania
Paula Stoicea: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 010961 Bucharest, Romania
Adina Iorga: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 010961 Bucharest, Romania

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: The study analyzes the awareness of the effects of climate change on agriculture and the measures that should be implemented in this regard from the farmer’s perspective, taking into account the financial and promotional measures supported by the European Union for farmers. Thus, the study tracks the level of openness of farmers to implementing the measures that European policy makers will take in the coming period. Taking into account the fact that agriculture plays a particularly important economic role, due to the share of agricultural products in Romania’s total exports, particularly in plant production, a quantitative survey was carried out among Romanian farmers, using a questionnaire as an instrument, with a total of 407 respondents. The farmers interviewed undoubtedly recognize that the problems they face are caused by the effects of climate change and are willing to adapt, seek and implement the necessary solutions. The most problematic climatic phenomenon identified by farmers (71.5%) is drought, with negative effects on their activity. At the same time, 54.15% of the respondents believe that the effects of climate change are affecting their business through lower yields. Although the farmers interviewed are willing to implement solutions to combat climate effects, 80.34% of them are not considering revising cropping patterns, giving more importance to market demand than to practices that protect the environment. In conclusion, as long as farmers feel and understand the effects of climate change, it cannot be a myth, especially if they are willing to adapt to these challenges.

Keywords: agriculture; climatic effects; food security; survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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