Farming is under practiced since ancient times on this planet. Earlier it was considered an approach to fulfilling the basic need of hunger but now it is just an occupation that is perceived as one of the most stressful and uncertain occupations in the world
(Roy et al., 2017). And, this can be observed in many developed and developing countries. Peoples are no longer interested to continue with farming practices and the number of farmers is declining every year, as per international labour organization data people who work in agriculture has declined from 44% to 26% (1991-2020)
Booth (2020). Countries like the USA during 1935-2020 faced a decline of around 4.8 million farmers
Kassel (2021). Furthermore china faced a decline of 275 million farmers
Hays (2013). India also faced a decline of around 15 million farmers since 1991 N. (2013). This declining trend is due to unpredictable weather (temperature, rainfall,
etc.), outbreaks of pests and diseases, continuously decline in soil fertility and use of unconscionable agrochemicals
Jamail (2011), access to information, lack of credit, negative perception about farming
(I.F.A.D. 2016) and surety of regular non-agriculture based income
Mahapatra (2020). The trend has also changed the mind-set of young generation not to choose agriculture as a career. The increasing population and declining numbers of farmers is a controversial situation. And, it’s a challenge for almost every country in the world
(R. 2017).
Although the farming practices, production systems and forms of farms are diverse due to geographical and economic conditions, there are common practices across the farms
(Lowder et al., 2016). Most farms in India as well as around the world continue to be family-owned and exposed to market fluctuations (demand and supply), unstable commodity market, growing cost of machinery and production, weather variability, high chance of crop failure and impact of government decisions
(Behere et al., 2009). Farming environments are characterized by a diverse and changing variety of physical
(Morton, 2007) and biological risks that are universally applicable throughout cultures
(Pingali, 2012). As a result, it is important to consider the psychological and social well-being of farmers from a global perspective.
Wellbeing is a broad term and includes various aspects like physical, psychological and social wellbeing. WHO has also defined health as “a state of complete physical, social and psychological well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity?” The all-around well-being of a human being is sprinted on these aspects of life to ensure balance and growth in every dimension of life Ramirez (2021, December 30). Psychological and Social well-being is an outcome of the following contributing factors:
Earlier researches like
Ryff (2014) examined how much people believed their lives had direction and meaning (purpose in life); whether they believed they were living according to their own personal convictions (autonomy); how much they were utilising their unique talents and potential (personal growth); how well they were handling their daily situations (environmental mastery) and the degree of connection they had in relationships with significant others (positive rela (self-acceptance) and these were found meaningfully impactful around the people. Furthermore, within social environment, acceptance, attachment, belongingness and motivation are also playing a key role for connectivity and resistance from adverse circumstances (Fig 1).
In this paper, the main focus is laid on addressing the psychological and social well-being of farming community. Because this community is in distress for a long time and now it is affecting the decisions of the upcoming generation
Rudolphi et al., (2020). Three main pillars of farming community belong to farmer themselves, farmworkers and women.
This review followed the preferred reporting items for reviews and meta-analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and Daghagh
Yazd et al., (2019) guidelines namely: (1) identification of literature, (2) Screening questions and (3) eligibility criteria.
Identification of literature
To identify appropriate literature we have searched through online method until 2020. Electronic database like Google scholar has been used by searching with keywords: “farming community” OR “farming community well-being” OR “psychological well-being” OR “social Well-being” OR “farmworkers” OR “farm women” OR “mental health” OR “farmer suicide”.
Screening questions
Initially title, abstract and keywords were screened then the selected articles were screened with the following questions:
1. Are farmers or farmworker or farm women included as the target population?
2. Are any kind of well-being and its related problems pointed in the study?
Eligibility assessment
Following inclusion criteria were then applied-
1. Does the study discuss in detail farmers/farm workers/farm women mental health?
2. Does the study is in detail about suicide, stress, depression in farming community?
3. Does the study discuss any kind of help to cope with adverse situations?
Following study was carried out in Institute of Agri Business Management and this study has been conducted during January- May 2022.
Farming is known as a risky and stressful occupation. At the same time, men are a symbol of a strong, traditional or hegemonic form of masculinity based on stoicism, resourcefulness and resilience to adversity
(Roy et al., 2017). And, it is contradictory in itself between social representation and health. Health behaviours are best understood as social practices by which a farmer can demonstrate their level of conformity or resistance towards traditional masculinity norms that holds a dominant position among discourses of masculinity
(Roberston, 2007).
Traditional norms advise that men are the alignment provider and protectors of their families and should only involve with health services when it is strongly recommended by nearby people. Then there is a contradiction experienced by the farmers who struggled with the social pressure to present themselves as intense and relentless workers yet who also recognized the pressure exerted (by farming peers) to live up to such an image
(Roy et al., 2017). And, it leads towards a range of physical and psychological health challenges because of hard work and challenging conditions of on-farm and off-farm environments
(Fraser et al., 2005). Several mental health studies found out that climate change, drought, work overload, debt, price uncertainty, financial pressure and difficulties with the fulfilment of basic needs are common risk factors
(Mcshane et al., 2016; Mora et al., 2016; Logstein, 2016; Ramos et al., 2015; Carvajal et al., 2014; Wheeler et al., 2018).
Pesticide exposure
Reviews studies have found a positive relation between pesticide contact and mental health problems. It directly affects the neural system that causes mental illness
(Malekirad et al., 2013; Corral et al., 2017; Munoz-Quezada et al., 2017) and depression
(Weisskopf et al., 2013; Kim et al., 2013; Atreya et al., 2012; Harrison et al., 2016; da
Silva et al., 2016; Siegel et al., 2017; Conti et al., 2018) (Fig 2).
Financial issues
Financial pressure is reported as one of the main factors, especially when farming is the only source of income
(Kallioniemi et al., 2016; Das et al., 2011; Eberhardt et al., 1990). Financial problem is reported due to various reasons like; increase in input price, the market price of commodity/livestock, debt, repaying capacity and lack of affordable health services
(Kearney et al., 2014; Dohlman, 2020). Along with this, it has been found that higher profit is positively related to farmers’ well-being and less distressing life
(Peel et al., 2015) (Fig 2).
Weather uncertainty
Weather is dynamic in nature. And, this constant change plays an important role in farming because farming is all about how nature nourishes the plants. Earlier research predicted that the twenty-first century will face an increased risk of recurring droughts
(Dai 2013). Drought has been perceived as a slow-moving disaster that leads to challenging economic and social pathways such as loss of livelihood, diminished social support, migration and education of children
(King et al., 2009; Vins et al., 2015; Udmale et al., 2014). Recurring Drought has affected the freshwater availability and distribution for everyone as well as in agriculture that resulting in declined production, crop loss, livestock production failure, high temperature, change in monsoon, exploitation of groundwater
(Udmale et al., 2014; Berry et al., 2008; Ashraf et al., 2013; Adhikari 2018). Studies reported that drought and stress have a positive relationship that is visible through a high level of psychological morbidity and financial hardship
(Kureshi et al., 2018; Stain et al., 2011; Acharibasam et al., 2018). Along with this summer heat waves also affects the prevalence and severity of farmers’ health due to no other option farmers’ have to work in any condition
(Singh et al., 2015) (Fig 2).
Poor physical health
Farming is one of the worst affected occupations in terms of physical injury and illness
(May et al., 2020; Davis et al., 2007). Farmers and farmworkers every day spend a big amount of time at the farm that’s why getting injured at worksite is not surprising. Along with this high body mass and sleep deprivation were found associated with injury and depression
Hawes et al., (2019). As per the research outcome, somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is highly prevalent among farmers
DeArmond et al., (2006), it exists when a person feels nervousness about physical indications such as pain and is related to depression (Fig 2).
According to a study, farmers, consistent with their social image as resourceful men, have developed a variety of coping strategies to maintain their well-being and to prevent mental health problems (Fig 3)
(Roy et al., 2017).
Women also play a pivotal role in farming as face many issues related to participation on daily basis. Men and women struggle with stress differently with women experiencing stress not just due to the day-to-day farming activities, but also due to the impacts of the day-to-day farming activities on the physical, social and financial wellbeing of the entire family. Many times women have to take responsibility both on and off the farm which indirectly helps in ensuring the financial stability of a family. Women usually engage in farm roles, such as labour/manager and household duties
(Mulder et al., 2000; Carruth et al., 2002). Few research found out the role conflict among and absence of husband support. Overall In general, women farmers have stated more mental distress than men
(Lee et al., 2019; Hanklang et al., 2016). Women farmers’ mental health is often associated with exposure to pesticides, economic hardship and financial worry, similar to male farmers. And usually, women engage themselves in farm activities to reduce the burden of laid labour.
Farmworkers are mainly categorized into seasonal and migrant farm workers. As a result of the hazardous conditions at the farm, farmworkers are categorised separately into a class that has poor occupational health and high rates of workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities
(Arcury et al., 2007; Arcury et al., 2012). Farmworkers have a high rate of exposure towards anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug abuse and overall poor mental health. It is also felt by farmworkers that unequal access to basic health facilities is nothing less than social injustice. Additionally, farmworkers faced economic disadvantages with limited access to health insurance, low education and sub-standard living conditions due to financial difficulties
(Chaney et al., 2017).
Help-seeking behavior is also important as a coping strategy because it’s an active search for relief to fulfil a need and it complex decision-making process for a person who is actually suffering. Usually, lack of knowledge of helping sources or the belief that a person should deal with his/her problems alone were major obstacles for help-seeking behavior
(Brew et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2017).
The objective of this study was to systematically review relevant research (n=70) in order to enlighten the psychological and social wellbeing problems of farming community around the world. Studies that were considered had used several assessment tools most of them were quantitative in nature and were undertaken within the last 12 years.
Studies indicate that farming populations suffer from high rates of mental disorders. It is also important to consider that there is mixed evidence regarding whether farming has worse mental health than other occupations and also women than men, although a larger portion of studies found that farmers and farmworkers experienced more psychological health problems than non-farmers. Climate variability, rainfall deficiency and severe recurring drought across the world are parts of the agroecosystem that needs to be further explored in the future.
However, despite providing useful information for understanding farmers, farmworkers and farm women’s mental and social health issues, this study has some limitations. Identifying connection of risk factors and help-seeking behavior with mental health and coping strategies also needs cautious consideration.
