The British public has a 'rosy' view of farming life that does not match up to the tough realities of the profession, according to a new report by The Prince's Countryside Fund.
When asked to estimate annual incomes of UK farmers, the study found the public's guess averaged more than double the true figure.
And 12% of 18 to 24-year-olds are so unfamiliar with the countryside they have never seen cattle in person.
The writers of the report, entitled 'Who'd be a Farmer Today', said it highlighted a disconnect between the positive perception and the tough realities of the job.
Lord Curry, chairman of the Prince's Countryside Fund said the profession was 'not widely understood.'
"Unfortunately, for one of the oldest professions which contributes over £108bn a year to the economy, the reality can be very different.
"Farmers work long hard hours, receive modest pay for their efforts, have financial instability and are now faced with growing uncertainty.
"The farming industry needs support from the British public through the buying of home produced food to help maintain its viability for the future."
'Real pressure'
Almost one in ten estimated a farmer's annual income to be at least £75,000.
Yet the reality is, as government figures show, that average farm incomes fell below £20,000 in 2015, to their lowest since 2007.
The survey also shows that 17% of farms have been unable to pay off their short-term debts with 66% of UK dairy farms having closed since 1995, and of those that remain, many have been forced to rely on credit.
The research revealed a contradiction in public attitudes to supporting UK farms financially.
The report identified that 50% of people are willing to pay more for items such as milk to support local farmers, with 21% willing to pay up to 50p more. However, only 15% said that UK production was the main motivator in purchasing food. The most common influence (42%) was price.
Jimmy Doherty, pig farmer and television presenter said: "Not all is rosy on the nation's farms.
"Many farmers are under real pressure from falling prices for their produce.
"This is forcing some into debt that they are struggling to repay.
"How we choose to interpret these answers will determine the place within that society of the hard-working, dedicated and talented individuals who toil to put food on our plates."
