6. Agriculture

Is the job of a young farmer in danger and if yes, why?

Passionate, aware of their traditions, connected via Internet and still fascinated by promoting their profession by opening themselves a bit more to the future every day - the European farmers are a paradox, profiting from a centuries-old knowledge in order to develop a new agriculture: the agriculture of the 21st century.

That means: putting an end to unrestrained productivism, taking less and less care of the social and ecological consequences that are often devastating. We rather need a reliable and fair model, understandable to everyone.

In a Europe where actually only 7% of all farmers are younger than 35 years and 50% older than 55, a decisive political acting is essential. And the challenge is quite big.

In the east as well as in the west we meet young people, struggling very hard to be able to practise their profession, which many of them consider as their vocation. Despite several reforms all hopes are pinned on the Common Agricultural Policy, still the only starting point for change.

Making the insertion into the professional life easier for young farmers, more transparency in the field of agricultural subsidies and in the field of resale through wholesalers, support of local agriculture (respecting the seasons and the well-being of the others, sustainable farming) - all problems are closely linked to each other.

In conclusion, it should have become clear that it is time to act, to put the young farmers in the centre of our discussions and - to use an expression actually belonging to the field of agriculture - it is time to "put the young before the cart". This is the aim Generation 112 has. It's urgent!