Many farmers today are especially hard-pressed financially as a result of a fall of exports in the wake of EU sanctions against Russia, a sharp decline in the production price of milk, and delays in the payment of agricultural subsidies.
The situation has caused increasing concern within the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK), and its regional organizations have kicked off networking projects in various parts of the country, all intended to help farmers cope.
"We have a broad network of cooperation partners, such as banks and insurance companies, as well as specialists in various fields. Yes, we can help," says Niina Suorsa, who heads up the "Voimaa arkeen" (strength for daily life) project in the region of North Savo.
Target: No one goes under
According to Suorsa the aim is for farmers to learn to recognize their own physical and mental exhaustion and react in time, well before their production falters or fails. Reaching out for help in time, and getting it, are crucial to surviving.
"An effort is being made to build a safety net around entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector so that not a single one goes under," Suorsa explains.
A stronger safety net is needed, as is evident from the farms that have shut down because of financial difficulties in the North Savo region.
"We are striving to keep the situation under control" Suorsa adds.
It is hoped that the cooperation and the networks establish by the two-year Voimaa arkeen project will take root and become established practice. The project is being funded by the European Social Fund, municipalities in North Savo, as well as dairy cooperatives, and savings banks in the region.
