Adaptation of organic vegetable farmers to climate change: An exploratory study in the Paris region

Summary in the original language of the document

Vegetable farmers perceived climate change in seasonal patterns (e.g. temperature, frost, wind) and in extreme events (e.g. droughts, heat waves). They related it to negative impacts on (i) vegetables (e.g. increased pressure from arthropods, metabolic disorders, decrease in crop yield and quality), (ii) farm management (e.g. increased and more difficult labour, more complex crop planning), and (iii) profitability (e.g. production losses, increased labour and equipment costs), despite some positive impacts (e.g. potential to extend the growing season or grow tunnel crops outside). Farmers mentioned a wide range of adaptation responses and plans (e.g. cover crops, mulching, agroforestry, diversification, changes in crop planning, equipment to control or mitigate climate conditions in tunnels, efficient irrigation systems). Younger farmers more often expressed the need to acquire knowledge for adaptation plans because they will have to adapt throughout their entire farming career. Although the vegetable area and the age of the farm may have influenced specific adaptation responses, most adaptations that farmers had already implemented did not appear to be related to the farm or farmer characteristics explored. Compared to other types of farming systems in the Global North, vegetable farms may be more exposed and sensitive to climate change but also have more adaptive capacity. Future studies should investigate the influence that vegetable farm characteristics have on their vulnerability compared to those of other types of farming systems in a given soil and climate context.