LocationsAdapting to the Unpredictable: Belarusian Farmers Navigate the Consequences of Climate Change
September 10, 2024
Climate change is challenging farmers worldwide, and Belarus is no exception. Over the past 140 years, the average annual temperature in the country has increased by 1.4°C.
As a result, the borders of agroclimatic zones have shifted 60-150 km northward. The northern agroclimatic region has dissolved, while a new, warmer one appeared in Belarusian Palesje.
In Brahin, Belarus’ southernmost district, three sisters - Nadezhda, Anna, and Anastasia - are responding to the new reality with innovation and resilience.
Continuing their grandfather’s legacy as the country’s first registered farmer, together they manage a local farm that grows a wide variety of crops – from grains and greens to berries and vegetables. Beyond the bounds of traditional farming, the sisters are experimenting with innovative cultivation techniques and harnessing new technologies.
Supported by the EU and UNDP, the entrepreneurs have replaced their old greenhouse with a modern one equipped with advanced ventilation, heating, and watering systems. This new facility, the first of its kind in the area, allows the farmers to yield crops year-round, ensuring a reliable supply of fresh, local produce - even during the winter.
Modernization also enables the sisters to better adapt to climate shifts. Nadezhda, a geography major, notes the mixed impact of climate change in the region:
“We see both positive and negative effects of climate change. The key for farmers is to adapt to both.”
On the positive side, a longer growing season allows for greater crop diversity and more frequent harvesting. “In the greenhouse, we now plant seeds already in February and harvest by early May. When longer crops like tomatoes or cucumbers ripen in August, we can still plant cabbage or radish,” - Nadezhda explains.
Watermelons and grapes, once exotic for Belarus, now thrive in Brahin that enjoys more sunlight than the rest of the country. The shorter heating season also helps reduce energy costs.
“However, the weather has become more unpredictable,” - says Nadezhda. “We need to be ready for anomalies we haven’t encountered before.”
Hurricanes and heavy rains became frequent in Belarus. Heat waves, now almost a yearly occurrence, often cause droughts and water shortages, resulting in crops failure.
“73% of farmers worldwide have experienced increasing pest and disease pressure due to climate change.”
Rising temperatures additionally lead to an increase in pest populations. Bacteria that were once killed off by frost are now flourishing, leading to new plant diseases. Leaves and fruit turn black and rot, forcing farmers to resort to chemicals. While small farms can use alternative methods, such as planting marigolds or calendula to repel pests, these solutions hardly work on larger fields.
Late frosts in May or June pose yet another challenge. “These are unusual conditions,” - says Nadezhda. “To prevent damage, crops should be covered with a special non-woven material, adding to farmers’ costs and potentially leading to financial losses.”
“There is no single adaptation strategy – we need to constantly learn and experiment,” - conclude the sisters.
In response to the challenges, they have increased the share of heat-loving plants and regularly rotate their crops to avoid over-reliance on the same varieties. As grains are particularly sensitive to heat, they now prefer winter cereals as they are more resilient to droughts.
The new greenhouse also helps negate the downsides and use resources sustainably. Its polycarbonate construction minimizes energy loss, while the reinforced frame offers better resistance to wind and snow. The innovative cassette system for seedling production optimizes the use of soil and strengthens the root system, ensuring 100% survival rate upon transplantation.
The farmers are now working on fully automating the ventilation system, which will be regulated by a temperature sensor – an essential tool on hot days.
Sisters’ efforts have inspired others in the community to follow suit, leading many locals to start building greenhouses as well. Anna, a part-time schoolteacher, is eager to spend more time on her blog, where she shares her family’s farming experiences with a broader audience in Brahin and beyond.
As climate change brings both challenges and opportunities, local initiatives such as the farm in Brahin are crucial for adaptation. Through innovation, collaboration, and a focus on sustainability, farmers can effectively navigate new circumstances and drive local development.
The Support to Economic Development at the Local Level project was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus in partnership with the Ministry of Economy with the financial support of the European Union.
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