Protesting farmers

Long lines of tractors have become an increasingly common site in recent months on the streets of many European cities. In Poland, farmers blocked roads this week in protest at rising costs and competition from cheaper imports from Ukraine. Farmers have also been protesting in the UK, Hungary, Belgium, Spain, Greece and Italy on a range of issues from fuel prices to new environment rules.

Given that more and more of us now live in cities, we wanted to understand the challenges farmers are facing – but also get an insight into their lives. Farmers in the UK, France and an aspiring farmer in Germany share their experiences, including Morgan, a farmer in the Brittany region of France:

“I love my life, I love my job as a farmer, it’s one of the most beautiful jobs in the world because we take care of the nature, we produce good food for our communities,” she tells us. “But we deserve a decent living and we’re not getting it anymore.”

We also bring together three farmers in India. With a forthcoming national election, thousands recently marched – once again – on the capital Delhi. They tell us why they farm and share with us their emotional connection to the land.

A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC OS team.

(Photo: Morgan Ody. Credit: Morgan Ody)