Small farms face a number of challenges and threats, some of which include:
Competition from large-scale agriculture: Small farms often struggle to compete with large-scale agriculture in terms of price and efficiency, making it difficult for them to survive in the marketplace.
Lack of access to resources and markets: Small farms often have limited access to resources such as land, financing, and market opportunities, making it difficult for them to expand and thrive.
Climate change and weather variability: Small farms are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and weather variability, which can reduce crop yields and harm livestock.
Pest and disease outbreaks: Small farms can be particularly susceptible to pest and disease outbreaks, which can cause significant crop and livestock losses.
Lack of succession planning: Many small farms lack a clear succession plan, making it difficult for the next generation of farmers to take over and keep the farm in operation.
Limited government support: Small farms often receive limited government support compared to large-scale agriculture, making it difficult for them to access resources and services that can help them to be successful.