- Farmers are adopting night harvesting to overcome the heat and maintain crop quality.
- Nocturnal harvesting has become more crucial due to increasing summer temperatures.
- However, night farming can still be risky for workers.
As this year’s summer — the hottest one on global record — comes to an end, a new trend among farmers seems to be ramping up: night harvesting.
The extreme heat this summer not only posed a health risk for farmers harvesting in the sun but also compromised the quality of the crops they grew. According to some nocturnal farmers interviewed by the Washington Post, fruits and vegetables are fresher and have a longer shelf life when picked in cooler temperatures.
However, not everyone in the farming industry is benefiting from this trend. Farm workers also shared their concerns with the Post, revealing that night harvesting brings its own safety hazards. Despite reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses, low visibility and inadequate lighting increase the chances of workers hitting their heads, falling from ladders, and stepping on hidden hazards during night shifts.
The Post reported that from 2011 to 2020, approximately 9,000 people sustained injuries while working on farms at night, with the number of injuries reaching 1,150 in 2020.
Furthermore, Agriculture remains the most perilous industry for workers in the country, as stated by a research team at Pennsylvania State University, backed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Between 2015 and 2019, around 60,000 individuals received treatment for injuries sustained while working on farms.
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