The European Commission has presented its Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture, aimed at doubling the share of young farmers in the EU to 24% by 2040, including new entrants. The initiative seeks to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector and the viability of rural areas in the face of an ageing workforce and the decline of the young population.
According to the Commission, Member States will be required to invest at least 6% of their agricultural spending in measures that promote generational renewal, with the option of mobilising additional resources. In addition, they must develop national generational renewal plans by 2028, identifying obstacles and defining specific support measures. Progress will be reported periodically.
The European agricultural sector faces significant challenges: the average age of farmers is 57, only 12% are under 40, and young people struggle to access land, credit and essential skills. Between 2013 and 2019, the number of young people aged 15 to 24 in EU rural areas fell from 3.6 million to 1.9 million, while those aged 25 to 29 dropped from 6.9 million to 5.9 million. Moreover, young farmers often work on rented land — about 15 million hectares, compared to 10 million hectares they own.
To overcome these barriers, the strategy identifies five priority areas: access to land, financing, skills, quality of life in rural areas, and support for succession. The proposed measures include:
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A mandatory “welcome package” of measures for young farmers under the next CAP, to facilitate access to the profession through a comprehensive set of interventions, including a lump-sum payment of up to €300,000 for establishment.
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Better targeting of funds in favour of young farmers.
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Collaboration with the EIB (European Investment Bank) to develop guarantee systems or interest-rate subsidies to facilitate access to finance.
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The creation of a European Farmland Observatory to improve transparency in land transactions, help farmers access available land, support farm succession, inform policymaking, and prevent land speculation — thereby helping new farmers start their activity.
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Integration of generational renewal aspects into the European Semester, including pension, retirement and farm transfer reforms in national strategic frameworks to facilitate timely succession and rural property mobility.
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Inclusion of young farmers in the “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” programme, allowing them to learn best agricultural practices abroad or diversify their income through exchanges with other sectors.
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Promotion of good living conditions in rural areas, while supporting local development and the participation of young people and women.
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Co-financing of replacement services on farms to allow farmers to take sick leave, maternity or paternity leave, or holidays — improving their work–life balance.
The strategy will be implemented at multiple levels: through the current and future CAP, complementary EU policies, national actions on land, taxation, education and pensions, and with the involvement of stakeholders. The Commission emphasises that national and regional commitment is essential to ensure real impact.
The initiative aims to ensure that European agriculture remains resilient, sustainable and attractive to new generations, maintaining food security and the vitality of rural areas in the face of ageing and the shortage of young farmers.
