<pAcross Europe, farmers are speaking up about critical dangers facing the primary sector. The biggest challenges include persistently low prices and the heavy burden of bureaucracy. In Spain, the leading organizations are preparing strategic steps to secure the sector’s future. Yet the outlook for farming remains troubling because generations are not continuing the tradition. In Spain only 0.23% of arable land is managed by adults under 25. A study by the Ministry of Agriculture shows that fewer than 5% of people under 35 work professionally in rural areas. Marcos Garcés, a 36 year old farmer from Teruel, explains the strain: the cost of materials is high, and a single tractor can run about 200,000 euros. The high costs of land and machinery, the lack of essential services in cities, and a negative public image of farming keep younger people away from the field.
<pYoung farmers have long highlighted the barriers that prevent new generations from joining rural life. Diana Lenzi, president of the European Young Farmers Council, argued that the Common Agricultural Policy has offered little new and has not spurred real generational change. In the European Union, only about one in ten agricultural professionals is under 44. Garcés agrees that current policies do not actively encourage youth participation. He notes that long-time farmers receive more benefits based on historic rights embedded in the CAP. The ministry of agriculture reports that 91% of direct CAP subsidies go to those over 40, with 38.14% directed at individuals over 65.
<pThis pattern extends to animal husbandry. More than half of livestock farmers are already near retirement or will reach retirement this decade. A recent analysis by the COAG animal husbandry department, drawn from agricultural census data, suggests a mass withdrawal of the baby boom generation is imminent. Luis Pérez, COAG Agricultural Youth coordinator, urged last October to pave the way for young people by bringing in fresh participants, estimating a need for 200,000 new entrants to realize a genuine generation shift.
<pThe appeal of farming to the young is further eroded by the reality of daily work. The sector is perceived as demanding more bureaucracy and tighter regulatory requirements. Juan Valero de Palma, secretary general of the Spanish National Federation of Irrigation Societies, recalls that many families pass farming down through generations, yet more parents now advise their children to pursue opportunities outside agriculture. Such advice reflects practical concerns about the path ahead for farmers of the next generation.
Rising land costs and scarce services hinder entry
<pMarcos Garcés highlights not only land prices but also rising speculation around land as a major barrier to entry. He notes that if a newcomer does not come from a farming family or inherit land, it becomes nearly impossible to establish a farm. Land values are climbing, creating a daunting barrier for new farmers who start from scratch and must secure substantial initial investment, potentially in the millions of euros.
<pThe situation means farm children with existing family land may have an easier path, but broad access remains a challenge. Experts stress that policies must actively attract young people into farming. Different paths will work for different individuals; some may struggle to settle in rural areas or own homes, while others will require targeted job training. There is no single solution that fits all circumstances, but the aim is clear: foster a stronger and more inclusive agricultural sector that welcomes fresh participation.
<pCritics point to the persistent shortage of services in rural communities and ongoing depopulation. They argue that many regions lack adequate educational options for children and that families are forced to spend time and money traveling to access schooling. The sense is that without reliable local services and opportunities, young people will continue to seek careers beyond the countryside, further deepening the demographic gap in farming communities.