Online survey for farmers on their environmental awareness, comparison of 2017 and 2021

• Farmers' general awareness and knowledge of environmental issues.
• Common farming practices among farmers.
• Farmers' self-assessment of their environmental knowledge.
• Farmers' opinions on support measures (requirements) of the Rural Development Plan.

At the end of 2021, a follow-up survey was conducted to assess the changes in farmers' awareness, assessments and farming practices during the RDP period. Although the term 'farmer' is used, the surveys did not only include actively engaged farmers who sold their agricultural or garden produce, but aimed to gather responses from as many applicants as possible applying for area-based and/or animal support measures based on data from the Paying Agency.

In previous years, as part of the ongoing evaluation of the RDP, the organisation has conducted two postal surveys on environmental awareness among farmers (in 2004 and 2007) and two online surveys (in 2009 and 2014). The initial surveys focused on assessing farmers' general level of environmental awareness. In 2009, questions about RDP's second pillar measures were added, and in the 2014 survey, further questions and/or clarifications about farmers' management practices were included.

The online survey was used to gather data directly from the primary sources (CAP beneficiaries – single area payment scheme as the comparison group and RDP applicants).

The questions covered grassland farming, soil and agrotechnology, biodiversity and environmental awareness, as well as the requirements for maintaining land in good agricultural and environmental condition, and climate and environmentally friendly farming practices. In Part II of the questionnaire, the focus was on RDP environmental support measures - examining producers' attitudes and practices related to environmentally friendly management, regional soil protection, eco-friendly gardening, cultivation of local plant varieties, keeping endangered livestock breeds, maintenance of semi-natural habitats, organic farming, applying for Natura 2000 agricultural land and private forest land support, and animal welfare support. Finally, producers were asked to comment on RDP support measures in their own words and provide additional suggestions.

The report highlights, among others, the following results.

Grassland management involves human activities (such as mowing, grazing and fertilising) that affect the composition of plant communities, usually aimed at increasing productivity. The purpose of fertilising grasslands is to obtain a larger and more nutrient-rich yield, accelerate the growth of grasses and enhance resistance to unfavourable winter conditions.

From the biodiversity perspective, less fertilisation leads to greater species richness in the plant community (nitrogen-loving species do not dominate). Delayed mowing of grasslands (especially in the presence of ground-nesting birds and to provide floral resources for pollinators) or, when possible, leaving areas uncut, also plays a significant role in preserving and enhancing biodiversity. The study indicated that in 2017, 76% of short-term grassland managers surveyed did not fertilise their grasslands at all, while in 2021, the percentage increased to 80%. Those who fertilised short-term grasslands mainly fertilised them with manure. In 2017, 62% of respondents stated that they used manure for fertilising short-term grasslands, while in 2021, 41% of respondents used solid manure and 18% used liquid manure. Mineral nitrogen fertiliser was used by 38% of respondents in 2017 and by 37% in 2021. The share of producers who did not fertilise permanent grasslands at all was 89% in 2017 and 93% in 2021.

Producers who wished to partially or completely convert their permanent grasslands were asked about the reasons for this decision. In 2017, 14% of respondents believed that livestock farming was not profitable and a change in production type was necessary, while in 2021, the percentage increased to 19% of respondents.

Sustainable production depends on the quality and fertility of the soil, which requires awareness of both one's soil and suitable options and practices for its preservation and improvement. Producers who fertilised their fields with annual crops were asked about the types of fertilisers they used. In both years (2017 and 2021), it was found that the majority of producers used NPK compound fertiliser for fertilising annual crops (71% in 2017 and 67% in 2021). The proportion of users of mineral nitrogen fertiliser increased from 48% to 53%, with the largest increase observed among area-based decoupled payment applicants (from 35% to 44%).

All respondents were asked whether the agricultural machinery used on their farms had the capability to utilise digital fertiliser application maps via GPS devices and applications. In both years, the readiness was less than 10% among all respondents surveyed.

Producers were asked about their willingness to take soil samples even if it was not mandatory. In 2017, 28% of all respondents surveyed were willing to take soil samples voluntarily, and this percentage remained at 27% in 2021.

Respondents' self-assessment of their knowledge and interest level regarding birds (excluding poultry) in agricultural landscapes, including their benefits and drawbacks, and their relationship with agricultural activities, had somewhat improved by 2021. In 2017, 13% of respondents rated their knowledge of birds as good, whereas in 2021, this figure increased to 17%.