How to Improve Farmers’ Work Ability

The aim of this study was to identify the factors contributing to the improvement of farmers’ work ability. The study sample comprised the full-time farmers (n = 2169) of the ‘Occupational health and agriculture in Finland’ study. The research material was analysed using cross tabulation and logistic regression methods, and we examined the relationship between perceived work ability and variables related to farmers’ work, management, working conditions, workload, job satisfaction, health, and health-related behaviour. The ‘good work ability’ group (8–10 on a scale of 0–10) mostly included those under 64 years of age; those who placed a high value on managerial duties; those who felt that their work was not so physically strenuous; those who experienced work engagement more frequently; those who felt that their health was good; farmers with no debilitating long-term illness or injury diagnosed by a doctor; farmers who had not had, during the 30 days prior to the study, both musculoskeletal and mental symptoms, either for a prolonged period or recurrently; and farmers of normal weight.