I agree with Dan. The phrase is not ungrammatical but I can’t make sense of it. The whole thing is awkwardly(!) phrased, especially “put them together before us.” It sounds like an imperfect translation.

I think the Author added this filler word "awkwardly" to mean that its a contradiction between what the farmers are doing at the moment and what they could be doing. Such as, it is to the benefit of the farmer to come up with solutions to sustainable farming but its "awkward" they have not done this. The author could have easily said," but the farmers cant put them together". I think the word "awkwardly" is also hinting at a core problem the farmers have coming up with solutions.

I am also confused by that phrase. It's not grammatically incorrect, but it doesn't make logical sense. i.e. I can't figure out what the writer is trying to say.

This awkwardly word can mean in an ungainly manner,not smoothly or gracefully