Readiness to transform: Pioneer farmers’ motivations and barriers for adopting paludiculture in Germany

Degraded peatlands are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, requiring innovative strategies for their restoration and sustainable use. Paludiculture, or wet agriculture, is an approach to align climate protection with productive land use. However, its adoption requires a deeper understanding of farmers’ attitudes and targeted support to facilitate their transition from conventional to more sustainable alternatives. This study investigates pioneer farmers’ motivations and barriers to adopting paludiculture in Germany. Using a qualitative approach guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), we conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 German farmers engaged in or transitioning to paludiculture. Farmers perceived multiple threats associated with conventional drainage-based agriculture, including climate change impacts, soil degradation, and economic risks, while acknowledging paludiculture’s benefits for reducing emissions, biodiversity conservation, and water management. Farmers saw themselves as confident, innovative, and cooperative—key qualities for adopting paludiculture. Nonetheless, adoption was hindered by economic challenges, bureaucratic hurdles, and limited capacity building. Support programs, networks, and historical legacies were seen as important enablers. Yet, wider adoption will require expanded support programs, strengthened markets for paludiculture products, and adaptive regulatory frameworks. Pioneer farmers’ experiences can inspire others, and the leadership of experienced practitioners will be vital for driving broader adoption. Empowering farmers as agents of change and fostering collaboration among stakeholders are essential to unlocking the full potential of paludiculture as a sustainable wetland-use strategy.Author summary: The destruction of peatlands releases large amounts of greenhouse gases, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives to conventional farming on drained wetlands. Paludiculture, a form of agriculture on wetland soils, reduces emissions while keeping the land productive. To explore factors influencing adoption, we interviewed 18 German farmers already practicing or preparing to shift to paludiculture. Farmers described several problems with conventional peatland farming, including climate impacts, soil degradation, and financial risks. They saw clear benefits in paludiculture, such as lower emissions, biodiversity gains, and improved water management. Many portrayed themselves as open minded and willing to experiment, qualities they considered important when adopting new farming practices. However, farmers also faced significant barriers to adopting paludiculture, including high financial costs, complex regulations, and limited capacity building opportunities. Support programs, farmer networks, and prior experience with production on wet landscapes were seen as helpful in encouraging the shift. Overall, wider adoption will require stronger financial incentives, more flexible regulations, and better markets for paludiculture products. The experiences of early adopters can motivate others, and broader cooperation among stakeholders will be vital to unlocking the potential of paludiculture as a more climate-friendly way to use peatlands.