The stereotype of the grumpy old farmer seems long gone, as a new survey claims nearly 7 in 10 people think positively about farmers.

The OnePoll survey found 68% think either favourably or very favourably about farmers in England and Wales. This is up from 6 in 10 in 2012 - the fourth year in a row the support has grown.

Importance of agriculture

The survey, taken on behalf of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), also discovered that 90% of people feel the agriculture industry is an important part of the UK economy. This is up from 83% three years ago.

There was further evidence people’s views of farmers are becoming more positive - with 75% believing them to be either beneficial or very beneficial in the upkeep of the countryside. This was up from 72%.

NFU President, Meurig Raymond says the switch in attitude can be put down to farmers being more open and actively championing their industry by explaining the benefits of what they do.

He says more farmers are speaking directly to the public and using social media to spread the word about why we should be buying British food.

Embracing the public

The farming and agriculture sector has been active in its attempts to change the public’s perception of the industry in recent years.

Recently, farmers welcomed the public onto their land and into their homes as part of Open Farm Sunday.

The NFU also runs the Back British Farming campaign, which looks at farming’s contribution to the economy, the countryside and expert food production.

Social media has been a great tool in getting the word around, with the NFU’s Twitter channel growing from 4,600 in 2012 to around 31,000 today, and its YouTube now getting thousands of views.

But Mr Raymond urges farmers not to stop there and wants them to push forward and press home the message about the good work they are doing.

He says: “We cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue using all of the tools we have to tell our story and state the case for our food and farming sector.

“Now – at a time when farm gate prices are low - retailers and government at all levels must also continue showing their support and visibly back our farming industry.”

Robert Sullivan, partner in Strutt & Parker’s farming department, said: “It should not just be beholden on farmers to promote themselves.  All that earn their living from this sector and I include myself in that should also look to champion everything that is good about farming and agriculture.

"More often and not the reason we work in this sector is because of our love of farming and the countryside.  We need to show this passion to the wider public to help continue to educate them as to how important the industry is to the whole country.”