Regional Government creates programme to attract more young people to agriculture
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Ponta Delgada that the Young Farmer programme, to be implemented this year, aims to render the sector more attractive and sustainable through a series of measures involving the creation of incentives, positive discrimination and more training for young farmers.
"Some ideas about this programme have been presented, namely the establishment of a specific line of credit for young people, the increase of support for measures already implemented, the creation of specific training programmes and regional incentives for the installation of young farmers," said João Ponte. He spoke at the end of a meeting with the leaders of young farmers' associations of São Miguel and Terceira.
The government official, who invited six regional young farmers' associations, stated that this meeting was aimed at a first approach to the Young Farmer programme so that associations may have a say on a strategic document for the future of the sector.
According to João Ponte, the first outline of the measures included in this programme was based on the survey conducted in 2018 during the submission phase of applications as far as the agricultural department was to get a clear picture of the sector regarding young farmers.
"In the Region, about 16% of farms are managed by young farmers, with an average age standing at 33.8 years," João Ponte said, adding that 84% of these young people are engaged in animal husbandry.
The Regional Secretary also pointed out that 69% of young agricultural entrepreneurs work full time in the sector, with 9% holding a higher education degree, an average similar to the national average.
"On the other hand, there is interesting evidence that has to do with the fact that 500 young farmers work with their parents. This guarantees of rejuvenation of the sector, but also that there are conditions to ensure the continuity of agricultural activity, through younger generations," stressed the Secretary for Agriculture.
João Ponte now hopes that young farmers' associations in the Azores speak out and contribute to the improvement of the programme, which is intended to be completed and publicly presented soon.