Passive endurance: An analysis of barriers to aid among Flemish farmers

Abstract This article aims at uncovering why many farmers in Flanders, Belgium experience barriers in accessing aid services when confronted with problems. With this objective in mind, individual interviews and focus group discussions were conducted, reaching a total of 77 farmers. Based on these interviews, it will be illustrated how these barriers are rooted in a generalised ‘passive endurance’. This passive endurance points on the one hand at values of hard work, resilience and toughness. On the other hand, this concept points at a sense of resignation and disbelief that certain challenges can be overcome. It will be argued that this passive endurance acts as a major barrier to accessing aid services, as preference is given to continue established daily routines in farm organisations and the added value of aid services is systematically criticised and questioned.