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Farmer Willi on Factory Farming

Foto credits: © Silvia Reimann

ipoma Issue 01 presents

Organic vs. Conventional

Who is to Blame for Factory Farming in Germany?

  • Agriculture has changed, and factory farming remains dominant due to price pressure and consumer expectations despite growing demand for organic products.
  • Farmer Willi says: On the one hand, it is the fault of the consumer. Consumers of conventional cheap products give up their right to complain about factory farming at the supermarket checkout. Consumption drives the market. 
  • On the other hand, farmers have never been able to convey that agriculture is something highly complex. 
  • The article "The Forthright Farmer"* with Farmer Willi Kremer-Schillings relies on provocation and food for thought. Here you will find some approaches and impulses from the article. 
  • Do you have further questions? Contact us now!


*from ipoma Issue 01, “The Forthright Farmer”, Ex Libris 2020

Farmer Willi-Kremer Schillings

Farmer Willi-Kremer Schillings

Farmer, Rommerskirchen

A lot of people mean well, but they tend to prefer bargain-hunting to changing the world. Only 16 percent of all declared organic shoppers actually buy organic!

Farmer Willi-Kremer Schillings

Farmer, Rommerskirchen
Farmer Willi-Kremer Schillings

Farmer Willi-Kremer Schillings

Farmer, Rommerskirchen

If you care about the climate, don’t buy apples from the other side of the world.

Farmer Willi-Kremer Schillings

Farmer, Rommerskirchen
1 — 2

Demand determines production

The biggest ballot box in the world is the scanner at the supermarket checkout.

   

  • Every purchase we make is an instruction to make the same product in exactly the same way again. This is a crucial point in the slow development of organic farming. 
  • However, both consumers and the agriculture sector bear responsibility. There is a need for a new understanding, a dialogue between the consumer and the farmer. 
  • Farmer Willi calls on various stakeholders to take action.


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What can consumers do?

The consumer has the power to steer the market.

  • Listen to better understand the complex interconnections within the agricultural system and to make the right decisions. 
  • Central Europe has a completely sufficient range of agricultural products all year round—it's not necessary to buy products like apples from the other end of the world. 
  • The consumer must lead the way. Because ultimately, consumers are the ones who will decide the future of agriculture.

Foto credits: © Patrick Schwienbacher

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What can agriculture do?

Make the work behind the products visible.   

  • Agriculture produces what we put into our bodies. Therefore, it requires special attention and care. 
  • Seek open dialogue with consumers to bring them closer to the complexity of the system.

Foto credits: © Apfelkonsortium

Organic vs. conventional: What are we talking about?

Organic FarmingConventional Farming
Avoidance of synthetic chemicals: No use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; instead, natural alternatives are utilized. Use of synthetic chemicals: Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are used to increase yields and protect plants from pests.
Preservation of soil fertility: Use of crop rotation, compost, and green manure to maintain and improve soil fertility. Monocultures: Cultivation of large areas with only one type of plant to maximize efficiency and productivity.
Animal-friendly farming: Animals are kept in conditions appropriate to their species, have access to open areas, and receive organic feed. Mechanization: High use of machinery and modern technology for soil cultivation, sowing, harvesting, and processing.
Promotion of biodiversity: Measures to conserve and promote biodiversity on agricultural lands. High animal density: Intensive livestock farming in large stocks, often in closed systems, to increase production.
Avoidance of genetic engineering: No use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in plants and animals. Genetic engineering: Use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to make plants more resistant to pests and diseases and to increase yields.


Source: ChatGPT

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What can retailers do? 

Supermarkets have a lot of leeway in their dealings with farmers


  • Consciously support local farmers, build long-term relationships, and distribute their products.
  • However, avoid selling cheap products from factory farming at the same time. Otherwise, regional, more animal-friendly variants have little chance.

Foto credits:  © Unsplash/Tara Clark

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What can politics do?

Exercise a certain degree of control, but no one should suffer in the process


  • Politics can ensure that agriculture receives the necessary support.
  • Comprehensive bans, for example on factory farming, are not the right way—it would promote a two-tier society.


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  • Do you like this content? Are you an apple expert or enthusiast? If you are interested only in this topic, you can download "The Forthright Farmer". 
  • If you want to read the entire ipoma Issue 01, you can also download it on this page, of course for free. 
  • Here you can find top articles as well as the entire ipoma Issue 02. 

  

Enjoy reading!

Download 'The Forthright Farmer'

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Download the entire ipoma Issue 01

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Here are the official pages of Farmer Willi-Kremer Schillings: 

→ To the website

→ To the YouTube channel

→ To the Facebook profile

→ To the Instagram profile

Contact us

Anna Crosignani

Anna Crosignani

Content and Event
T. +39 0471 516108
T. +39 0471 516108