Struggling survival of farmers in Baden-Württemberg: Reasons behind farmowners' hardships
Baden-Württemberg Faces Ongoing Challenge of Maintaining Small Farms
In Baden-Württemberg, a region known for its scenic landscapes and rich agricultural heritage, an average of 500 farms close each year. This highlights the challenges faced by small farms in the region, many of which fight for survival.
On Erika Obergfell's farm in Sankt Georgen (Schwarzwald-Baar district), a new calf was born peacefully in the lush green pasture. Despite the idyllic setting, the farm demands constant work, and there's little downtime for Erika and her husband, who make a living from cattle breeding, pigs, and chickens. They sell their products at the weekly market, but the profits are minimal. "I won't get rich. We can barely survive," Erika admits.
Farmers like the Obergfell family face immense pressure to remain profitable, with many giving up due to a dwindling profit margin. For some, the pressure is too much: Erika reports instances of farmers taking their own lives because they can no longer cope.
Comparing figures from 2023, Baden-Württemberg has about 37,500 agricultural operations, a decrease from nearly four times as many 40 years ago. The number of annual farm closures shows no sign of slowing. One such closure belongs to Martin Fischer, who operated a winery with a 50-year family tradition on the southern slopes of the Gündelbacher Wachtkopf in Vaihingen-Enz (Ludwigsburg district). The coronavirus pandemic caused a third of his turnover to disappear, prompting him to shut down the operation.
While politics spends significant resources to support agriculture and preserve cultural landscapes, subsidies do not always reach their intended beneficiaries effectively. For instance, Erika Obergfell, a small-scale farmer, received only about €10,000 in annual subsidies to maintain buildings and pay professional association contributions. She noted that the remainder must be earned through her own efforts.
Martin Fischer, whose winery is now insolvent, expressed a distaste for subsidies and suggested that the wine must become more expensive to achieve sustainability. Yet, most customers prefer cheaper alternatives, often choosing a €5 bottle from the supermarket over Fischer's more expensive offerings.
The Minister of Agriculture, Peter Hauk (CDU), sympathizes with farmers like Fischer, appealing to consumers to support small agricultural businesses in Baden-Württemberg. He also holds the trade—especially the discount sector—responsible for the "fierce price war" affecting regional value creation.
Between farmers and the minister sits Sabine Hagmann, CEO of the Baden-Württemberg Retail Association. She represents large retail chains and notes that while consumers express a willingness to buy regional products in surveys, these products tend to linger on the shelves in reality, thanks to high prices.
In some cases, innovative solutions like agritourism can help struggling farms. In Münsingen (district of Reutlingen), the Biohof Weibler offers free camping to campers who appreciate the convenience of buying fresh products directly from the farm. Small farm shops on sites like these offer diverse regional delicacies, with products often tailored to customer requests.
Agritourism initiatives like this can help bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, but structural changes and support mechanisms are essential to ensure the long-term viability of small farms in the region. Climate change, economic pressures, labor issues, and market trends present ongoing challenges for these agricultural operations. However, Baden-Württemberg's unique landscapes and agricultural practices continue to attract tourists and offer opportunities for sustainable farming practices.
Small-business farmers in Baden-Württemberg, like Erika Obergfell, struggle to maintain their personal-finance, with minimal profits from selling products at markets. Despite government subsidies, the remuneration often falls short, requiring farmers to rely on their own efforts for additional income.
Furthermore, farmers must navigate various ongoing challenges, such as a fierce price war in the trade sector, high prices for regional products on shelves, and the historical decrease in the number of farms due to economic pressures. Creating sustainable solutions like agritourism can help small farms in the region, but it's crucial to implement structural changes and support mechanisms for long-term viability.
