Key takeaways
- 60.9% of cereal growers undertook at least one training course over the past two years; 39.1% followed no formal pathway.
- Study conducted from 15 December to 12 January among 800 cereal growers, source: AGRESTE; the Nexio Research Barometer measures actual participation in professional training.
- Training is now a management lever, not a regulatory burden, and the 2026 farmer is an active learner structuring their own upskilling.
- The product alone is no longer enough: farmers want support that de-risks practice in agroecology, precision agriculture and risk management.
- Strategic activation: showcase expertise through educational content, develop webinars and on-farm workshops, offer accredited pathways, and make sales a "transition facilitator".
Having highlighted farmers’ appetite for learning in our earlier analyses, the Nexio Research Barometer (study conducted from 15 December to 12 January among 800 cereal growers, source: AGRESTE) goes a step further by measuring what farmers actually do: participation in professional training.
The consolidated results from Nexio Research confirm a structural shift: the 2026 farmer is no longer just a producer, but an active learner, intentionally building their skills.
1. A majority of cereal growers engaged in continuous learning #
The figure is unequivocal and speaks to the intellectual dynamism of the cereal sector:
- 60.9% of farmers report taking part in at least one training course on an agricultural topic over the past two years.
- 39.1% did not undertake any formal training over the same period.
This engagement rate of over 60% shows that training is no longer seen as a regulatory burden but as a genuine management lever for the farm business.
2. Nexio Research analysis: Competence as the new driver of loyalty #
For Nexio Research, this level of commitment signals a paradigm shift in the relationship between agri-supplier and farmer. The product alone is no longer enough to secure buy-in. Farmers now expect partners to provide support that feeds their thinking and underpins new practices.
This demand for training reflects a desire to regain control over increasingly complex technical decisions (agroecology, precision agriculture, risk management). For industry players, it is a unique opportunity to position themselves not merely as vendors, but as architects of integrated solutions.
3. Strategic activation: Become the knowledge partner #
Nexio Research’s analysis of these data can guide your macro-marketing and commercial strategies:
- Communications lever: Showcase your expertise. Communications should not focus solely on product features but on the knowledge transfer they enable. By creating high‑value educational content, you address the 60.9% of farmers seeking technical upskilling.
- Marketing lever: Position on the "Advisory Service" segment. Offer webinars, on-farm workshops and accredited training pathways. Turning your offer into a learning experience is, according to Nexio Research, one of the most effective ways to differentiate your brand in a competitive market.
- Sales lever: Adapt the profile of your on-the-ground teams. The sales team must be able to engage with increasingly well-trained and demanding farmers. The salesperson becomes a "transition facilitator", able to translate innovation into job-ready skills directly actionable on farm.
Conclusion: Steering performance through intelligence #
The Nexio Research Barometer 2026 shows that training is the cornerstone of trust between cereal growers and their suppliers. A farmer who trains is a farmer who anticipates, invests and sustains their business.
At Nexio Research, we support agribusiness companies in aligning their strategy with this drive for skills. By understanding precisely where your clients invest their training time, we help you design messages and offers that resonate with their ambition for technical excellence.
About the author
Rebecca.P
Analyst at Nexio Research
Analyst at Nexio Research, specializing in strategic decision-making in agriculture and agri-tech.
