- The European Union seeks to double the presence of young farmers by 2040 through a strategy based on five fundamental pillars.
- In Spain, the average age of farmers is over 60, making generational renewal a food security urgency.
- There are critical barriers such as expensive access to land, bureaucracy and lack of funding, which are being addressed with programs such as CULTIVA and PEPAC funds.
When we talk about the countryside, we often picture someone with a sun-weathered face and decades of experience. However, this reality is precisely what should put us on alert. The agricultural sector is facing accelerated aging , which is not only a demographic problem but also a real risk to our ability to produce food and keep rural communities alive.
It's not simply about children inheriting their parents' farms, but about making agriculture an attractive and viable career option once again. To keep the rural economy thriving, we need young people, eager and full of fresh ideas, to choose the countryside as the place where they want to build their lives, leaving behind the stigma that it's a sector destined for backwardness.
The European Commission's ambitious roadmap
The European Union has taken decisive action and launched the so-called Generational Renewal Strategy for Agriculture. The goal is ambitious: by 2040, they want young people to represent 24% of all EU farmers . To achieve this, a comprehensive plan has been designed that leaves no stone unturned, focusing on removing the barriers that currently prevent young people from starting businesses in the sector.
This strategy rests on five fundamental pillars to tackle the problem at its root. First, the initial phase , which proposes welcome packages with financing for the agri-food sector, key resources, aid and credit , advice, and loans backed by the EIB, suggesting that Member States allocate at least 6% of their agricultural funds to this end. Second, access to land ownership , combating speculation through the creation of a European Land Observatory and facilitating the transfer of public land to young people.
The third pillar is training , focusing on digitalization and the creation of an Erasmus-like program for agricultural entrepreneurs. The fourth point is rural development , because no one wants to move to the countryside if there are no nurseries, health centers, or fast internet. Finally, EU commitments require each country to design its own national strategy coordinated with the CAP.
The reality of the countryside in Spain: between risk and opportunity
Looking at the data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the situation is worrying. With an average age exceeding 61 , we are facing a scenario where the majority of self-employed farmers will retire in less than a decade. In some areas, the disparity is alarming: for every young person under 40, there are three veterans over 65.
But it's not all bad news. A shift in mindset is underway. A new generation of entrepreneurs no longer sees agriculture as a burden, but as an innovative business opportunity . These new professionals are committed to regenerative agriculture, the circular economy, and the use of technology to optimize costs, viewing the countryside as a place where one can live in alignment with values of sustainability and personal well-being.
In Spain, support is provided through the CAP and the CULTIVA Program , which allows young people to learn from model farms through training placements. In addition, credit lines such as the ICO-MAPA-SAECA and regional subsidies ranging from €20.000 to €80.000 are being promoted to facilitate the establishment of new farmers.
Regional initiatives and barriers to overcome
Regions like Castile and León have become leaders in this area thanks to pioneering measures regarding farm succession , financially compensating retiring farmers who transfer their land and expertise to a younger person. This approach not only rejuvenates the population but also prevents practical knowledge—the kind you don't find in books—from being lost with retirement.
On the other hand, Catalonia is promoting its own strategy to ensure that farms don't disappear. However, obstacles persist that cause many to give up: bureaucratic complexity , prohibitive land prices, and the lack of profitability of traditional models. Without a clear financial path forward, the enthusiasm of young people clashes head-on with economic reality.
It is interesting to note that, according to Social Security data, young people are more prevalent as employees than as self-employed individuals. This indicates an interest in the sector, but a lack of support to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Current trends show that young people are moving more towards woody crops (olive groves, vineyards) than herbaceous crops or cereals.
