Deep Roots

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Sowing the seeds to harvest: young farmers

are the future of food production

European Council of Young Farmers

ood security must take priority in a world of ever-

increasing demand for food, particularly coupled

with mounting environmental concerns. On a global

scale, the United Nations predicts a necessary increase

of up to 60 per cent in food production in order to feed

the world by 2050 – and yet in the last few decades,

the farming population of the developed world has been

ageing. This trend must be reversed and young farming

must be promoted across the globe in order to ensure

the survival of the family farming model and therefore

the continuation of sustainable food production in local

economies across the world.

The family farming model is one which can be found across

the world, and which is essential to the future of global food

production. In the past, this model has been seen as more of a

hindrance than a help to achieving food security, considering

family farms are likely to be small-scale and less industri-

alized. However, today, in an environment fraught with

sustainability concerns in terms of limited resources, biodi-

versity and climate change, it is these farms which produce

high-quality, safe food in harmony with the natural envi-

ronment. It is not the case that family farms are exclusively

small, either; in fact, some family farms can be quite sizeable

with high levels of production and profitability, and yet still

kept within the family and still inspired by the farming tradi-

tions of past generations. Family farms are also essential to

the development of local economies in developed and devel-

oping countries alike, as they are most likely to use shorter

supply chains and direct selling, therefore improving their

own livelihoods and economic sustainability while guarantee-

ing high-quality food for decent prices to local communities.

Such family farms also enhance employment opportunities for

local people. However, despite the importance of the farming

knowledge and techniques which are passed on from genera-

tion to generation, many of which work in harmony with the

natural environment and resources affected, it is the younger

generations which need more focus and support in order to

Image: CEJA/Gerry Huberty

Image: CEJA

Young farming must be promoted to ensure the survival of the family farming

model and continued sustainable food production

Young farmers often use innovative techniques to modernize the family farm

while safeguarding sustainability and biodiversity

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