The good farmer of cellular agriculture? Impacts of cellular agriculture on Finnish livestock farmers

The concept of a ‘good farmer’ has been used to study farmers’ behaviour and occupational choices with a traditional divide between conservationist and productionist identities. However, with advancements in technology and increasing sustainability concerns, this divide is becoming more difficult to define. Cell-cultivation and bioreactor technologies offer potential benefits, such as reducing the need for livestock and decreasing environmental emissions but it may also impact farmers’ willingness to participate in this new food production sector.

Our study analysed the potential impacts of cellular agriculture on Finnish livestock farmers and rural development. We conducted 22 qualitative semi-structured interviews using a grounded theory approach and situational analysis.

Our findings suggest that the livestock farmers’ opinions on cellular agriculture were driven by the ethical considerations of animal husbandry and their position in current agribusiness.

Potentially, livestock farmers could shift away from traditional farming practices and explore new opportunities in biotechnology and green energy production if it fits in their ideal of the good farmer. However, the fundamentally different technology from conventional agriculture and limited financial opportunities in agriculture can prevent livestock farmers from capitalising opportunities in cellular agriculture.