Interviews with farmers - studying local agricultural practices

In August 2024, the interviews with farmers from the Masuria region were completed. Farmers engaged in key production systems of the region (dairy, barley, corn, red clover, and sunflower) were invited to participate in the discussions. The aim of the study was to collect detailed information on agricultural practices, resource use, production costs, and challenges related to climate change. A total of 150 questionnaires were collected, which allowed for the creation of a solid database for further analysis.

The interviews covered a wide range of topics related to the functioning of farms – both production, environmental, and economic aspects. Farmers provided information on the structure of crops and livestock, technologies used, water, energy, and fuel consumption, as well as the impact of climate change on yields and production costs. An important aspect was also understanding the strategies employed to adapt to climate change and identifying the main barriers and support needs.

The collected data was anonymized and used to develop adaptive scenarios and co-create solutions within the Living Lab framework. The results of the interviews provide a significant foundation for further project activities, including the selection of practices tested in demonstration farms and formulating recommendations for farmers and policymakers.