“New Farmers” a Crucial Parameter for the Greek Primary Sector: Assessments and Perceptions

Abstract

The steady decline in the number of holdings and farmers in the EU has led to a distressing shortage of new farmers. Today, the European Union is consequently faced with a dual problem: the scarcity of new and consequently young farmers and the rapid ageing of the farmer population. Young farmers can bring new skills and energy, and a more professional management to the farming sector. Against the context of an ageing agricultural labour force, the future of the farmers’ profession must be ensured. Thus, European Unions’ Common Agricultural Policy pays particular attention to the decline in young farmers, having established different policy measures and motives for new entrants in agriculture. Support to the setting up of young farmers includes support to facilitate the initial establishment and the structural adjustment of their holding afterwards. This paper attempts to identify Greek new farmers’ perceptions about their participation in this policy measurement. For this reason a questionnaire was developed and distributed among young farmers participating in the measure 112 ‘Setting up of young farmers’ (Common Agricultural Policy, Pillar II), in order to explore their expectations, perceptions and their daily practices in the field. The survey took place in different regions in Greece during an educational course series designed for new farmers. In total 254 new farmers answered questions concerning economic, environmental and cultivation practices.