Market does not appreciate extra farmer efforts

Market parties and consumers are hardly aware of the higher costs that farmers incur for the extra efforts they make in areas such as sustainability. While governments and social organizations are making increasing demands on farming methods. According to Jorrit Jorritsma, chairman of ZuivelNL, realistic revenue models must be developed for farmers.

He says this in an explanation of the annual report of the dairy organization for 2019. He also refers to the farmers' protests. "It is squeaking and creaking in dairy farming. The dissatisfaction within the Dutch farming community that has been dormant for some time about the ever-increasing demands, sudden policy changes and the often indiscriminate criticism of the working method in the agricultural sector came out in 2019 with the approach of the nitrogen problem." 

Strong chain organization
He also points to the fragmentation in the representation of interests. "Confidence in the government, but also mutual trust, was lost. The fragmentation in farmer representation has become visible." According to Jorritsma, there is a need for a strong chain organization that focuses on the development of the dairy sector. "Ultimately, it is about the competitive position of the dairy sector on the global market and the social acceptance of the way of doing business in combination with revenue models."

This requires that the extra efforts of the farmer are literally appreciated by the market parties and the consumer. Jorritsma also points out that 65% of Dutch dairy sales go abroad. "It is a challenge for the sector to actually earn back the efforts to, for example, reduce the CO2 footprint in the international market. Governments and social organizations therefore also have a responsibility to contribute to realistic revenue models."

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