Growers feel shortchanged with sustainability efforts

Growers say they didn’t undertake sustainability efforts for the money, and it’s a good thing.

The Packer’s sustainability survey of growers indicated that more than half (55%) of producers put in place sustainability measures because they want to be good stewards of their land.

As far as market rewards for growers’ efforts to implement sustainability, most producers are underwhelmed.

When asked, “Do you feel that you are fairly compensated in the market for extra costs incurred by implementing sustainability practices on your operation (e.g., sales price, improved market access, etc.)?” very few growers reported feeling they are fairly compensated for the extra costs incurred by implementing sustainability practices.

Fifty-five percent of growers said they do not feel they have been fairly compensated for the extra costs for sustainability measures. Thirty-nine percent of growers said the market has “somewhat” compensated them for their efforts. Only 7% of growers responded “yes” to the question that the market fairly compensated them for their sustainability efforts.

Consumers driving demand

Most growers feel consumers drive demand for sustainably produced goods. 

When asked the question, “Where do you think the demand for sustainably produced goods comes from?” responses were: 

• Consumers: 71%
• Food retailers: 28%
• Growers/farmers: 27%
• Policymakers: 25%
• Other: 5%

Leading the way or not

While growers believed consumers lead the demand for sustainably produced goods, The Packer’s survey revealed most growers hold themselves responsible for leading and promoting sustainability practices.

Sustainability help

When thinking about what activities help their sustainability efforts, growers polled by The Packer said biological inputs and biodegradable packaging were rated as having a highly positive impact on sustainability.

Asked to rate the following activities in terms of their ability to impact sustainability,  growers gave the rating “highly positive impact” to these activities:

• Biological inputs: 42%
• Biodegradable packaging: 40%
• Recyclable packaging: 31%
• Alternative energy: 31%
• Alternative fuels: 30%
• High-efficiency lighting: 23%
• Compostable packaging: 19%
• Urban farming: 19%
• Transparency: 8%

When asked how their suppliers meet their needs for sustainable ag supplies, approximately half of growers reported their suppliers generally meet their needs for sustainable supplies and inputs, but more work is needed.

Responding to the question, “How well do you feel each of the following meet your operation’s needs for sustainable ag supplies and inputs?” growers rated suppliers “completely meets my needs” to the following:

• Storage providers 30%
• Produce transportation providers: 28%
• Packaging providers: 22%
• Fungicide suppliers: 19%
• Herbicide suppliers 14%
• Insecticide supplier 14%
• Pest control advisors: 14%
• Ag tech suppliers: 12%
• Seed suppliers: 9%
• Equipment providers: 8%