French farmers face mounting despair as heatwave slashes harvests
Severe heat and drought since mid-May have driven many French growers to question their future, with some contemplating leaving agriculture.
Since the middle of May, French agriculture has been hit by record-high temperatures and a pronounced lack of rain, resulting in historically low yields for many farms. These climate stresses add to a long-standing mix of financial, sanitary and bureaucratic challenges that farmers already endure. As a consequence, an increasing number of growers are expressing doubts about their role in society and are considering abandoning the profession.
Support cells have reported a growing flow of farmers seeking assistance for economic, human or psychological problems. Sébastien Windsor, who leads the national chambers of agriculture and farms in Seine-Maritime, explains that the intensity of the crisis varies from one department to another, with some areas feeling the impact more acutely than others.
Why it matters
The crisis threatens food security and the livelihoods of rural communities across France.
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