Canada’s farmers and food processors every day work hard to generate wholesome. Nutritious food that feeds the middle class and boosts the economy. It is true that farming can offer a fantastic lifestyle with significant rewards. But it can also negatively impact one’s mental well-being. The external factors that affect farmers and their families can include weather, disease, commodity pricing, and trade.
After the passage of Budget 2018, Agriculture and AFCML – (Agri-Food Canada Minister Lawrence) MacAulay directed FCC – (Farm Credit Canada) to work with and support organizations that share similar goals. Providing greater access to services and support in rural Canada as well as raising awareness and spreading knowledge. It can help farmers who are struggling with mental health issues.
The PSCAA – (Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food) looked into the matter as part of their hearings on Mental Health Problems that Canadian Farmers, Ranchers, and Producers Face, and a report based on their findings are presently being written.
Effects of agriculture on human
The agricultural industry has experienced significant upheaval since Agriculture at Risk was first published in 1988. Agricultural workers’ health and safety have improved in some ways due to technological advances, personal safety measures, and hazard awareness. By establishing the NIOSH Agricultural Health and Safety Centers, academic health center researchers, agricultural safety educators. And agricultural engineers have been able to collaborate in order to develop a multidisciplinary approach to agricultural health and safety research and education. As a result of the regional centers, the variance in agricultural methods and circumstances is accurately reflect.
Health studies of agricultural exposures leading to physical ailments must account for a variety of modifying factors. Such as age and ethnicity of the workers, commodity type, methods of work, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment. The workforce has undergone a significant transformation, and regional differences stand out. Principal operators who are older and white are more likely to be older and white. According to reports, the percentage of female principle operators has somewhat increased. Furthermore, the number of principal operators working outside farms is increasing, resulting in new exposure problems. A higher percentage of farm workers are young males born abroad.
According to estimates, the number of farms will decline along with the agricultural labor force. Which is already at a low point. According to the USDA Agricultural Census from 1997, major operators were 54.3 years old on average. Occupational exposure to chronic diseases, such as musculoskeletal conditions and respiratory diseases, may make the farming population more susceptible to chronic diseases as it ages. Employing farm labor often serves as an entry-level position for people with non-agricultural backgrounds. Training in proper work procedures and understanding safety instructions on labels may be difficult due to a language barrier. In recent years, farm labor contractors employ a large number of agricultural employees, posing major health and safety concerns. Any of these modifications may make agricultural occupational health and safety risks worse. One of the defining characteristics of agricultural exposures is their extreme variety in kind, dose, and duration. Agriculture workers’ diverse ethnic backgrounds exacerbate the potential health risks.
Respiratory Illnesses and Exposures
The agriculture industry potentially contains a wide range of respiratory toxins. Many of present at higher levels than in other industries. Even though cigarette smoking is low among farmers. They have a higher rate of acute and chronic respiratory illnesses than other types of workers.
Organic Dusts
Agricultural respiratory diseases can be cause by organic dust, bioaerosols, and hazardous gases. In grain processing and confined animal feeding operations. These disorders are accompanied by a number of symptoms, including sinusitis, mucous membrane inflammatory syndrome. The non-immunogenic process of continual, and bronchitis. Many respiratory conditions have been connected to organic dust because it includes endotoxins. It has been demonstrated that endotoxins affect lung function in a dose-depend manner. H2S may also contribute to respiratory diseases, despite being unclear in its significance.
Other Respiratory Illnesses
Despite the prevalence of Farmer’s Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (FHP), there has been a lack of recent research. Research shows that respiratory protection is beneficial, and the most recent diagnostic recommendations have been published. Agricultural practices and drought can bring on harmful nitrogen oxide levels in the atmosphere. Which can lead to FHP and emphysema. Amplification of noise reduction strategies together with personal hearing protection is therefore strongly recommend for all agricultural enterprises.
The health problems faced by hired farmworkers, especially those who migrate and work seasonally, remain a source of concern. As part of improving surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as ensuring the indicate treatment is complete. It is advised to decrease the prevalence of M. multidrug-resistant strains of the disease.
Other Health Issues
Over 50% of agricultural workers have hearing loss, according to studies. The noise level generated by tractors, hoover pumps, and feed unloading areas exceeds OSHA’s hearing protection requirement. It is still common to encounter high levels of noise even with cabs on tractors and other machinery.
Canada’s support to improve mental and physical health of Farmers
The PSCAA – (Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food) investigated the topic at their hearings on Mental Health Challenges that Canadian Farmers, Growers, and Manufacturers Face, and a report is now being written based on what was heard.
A recent project initiate by the FCC and other businesses to combat stigma associate with mental health was acknowledge by the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture Jean-Claude Poissant.
Together with 4-H Canada and industry partners, FCC is developing a national program to improve 4-H youth mental and physical health. The National 4-H Healthy Living Initiative will be accessible to more than 7,700 volunteer leaders and 25,000 4-H members throughout Canada thanks to a $50,000 grant from FCC.
The FCC also developed a number of PSAs to raise awareness about mental health issues in agriculture as part of Rooted in Strength, a resource for dealing with stress and anxiety on the farm.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Farm Management Canada are collaborating on a project that examines how mental health affects a person’s decisions regarding managing a farm company. Agricultural mental health needs will be better understood and served through these initiatives.
Conclusion
The Canadian government has made notable efforts to improve the mental and physical health of farmers. Canadian farmers have access to a variety of mental and physical health management tools thanks to specific programs like the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. In addition, we provide information on budgeting and stress management, as well as tools to help with physical and mental health. By facilitating the Canadian immigration process, the government is ensuring that new farmers can access the same resources and assistance as older farmers. As a nation, Canada invests in the mental and physical health of its farmers to ensure that the agriculture sector continues to be a source of strength and resilience.