Farmers sound the alarm: dialogue between agriculture and society is necessary!

Farmers sound the alarm: dialogue between agriculture and society is necessary!

On September 28, 2025, an important forum on agriculture and agricultural policy was held in Munich. Farmers feel increasingly burdened by government regulations and economic constraints. This discontent is also reflected in a feeling of alienation that has arisen between farmers, politicians, the media and consumers. Tractors driving through big cities honking are a striking sign of this divide and are intended to draw attention to the lack of understanding that exists between agriculture and society. Initiators and participants expected that these actions, in conjunction with a panel discussion led by Harald Asel, could provide new food for thought to explore the causes of dissatisfaction and find better communication channels, as Inforadio reports.

But what is behind this dissatisfaction? Economic as well as social and communicative aspects were addressed in the discussion. The aim was to find out how the wishes of society and the productivity demands of agriculture could be better combined in a constructive dialogue. The DLG's new platform for agricultural communication and its offerings could be a good way to do this. The platform aims to strengthen the dialogue between agriculture and society and to provide a realistic picture of agriculture. Misunderstandings should be reduced and farmers' achievements should be put in the right light, as Agrar Trends highlights.

Focus on agricultural communication

Agricultural communication not only serves public relations, but also promotes exchange on central topics such as sustainability, climate protection and innovative agricultural technology. The focus is on stories about farmers' commitment to sustainable supply and the environment. But there are challenges: the complex relationships must be communicated in an understandable way and distant target groups must be reached in order to build trust and present agriculture as an integral part of our society.

On the platform, interested parties will find numerous best practice examples and guidelines for more successful communication strategies. Special tools and materials, from social media tips to press release templates, support the networking of farmers, consultants and agencies. In this context, Dirk Gieschen will offer lectures on agricultural communication in the future, which will provide participants with valuable knowledge and approaches for authentic messages as well as factual reactions to critical discourses.

EU and the future of agriculture

But the European Union is also working to strengthen and future agriculture through its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This pursues the goals of economic, ecological and social sustainability and ensures that agriculture in EU countries can respond to specific needs. Income support for farmers and climate protection and biodiversity measures are part of this strategy, which also promotes research and innovation in the agricultural sector (EU Agriculture).

The CAP aims to strengthen rural communities and increase the competitiveness of the agri-food sector. In this context, numerous events such as summits and seminars are being organized that aim to address the challenges of agriculture in a sustainable manner. An example of this is the EU CAP Network Seminar, which will take place in Brussels on October 7, 2025.

Overall, there are major challenges facing agriculture, but there are also opportunities if we manage to communicate with each other more openly and cooperatively. With joint efforts from farmers, politicians and society, trust can be built and the importance of agriculture for our future can be made clearer.