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.