Break into agriculture

In the near future, we'll probably have to change one of our most used sayings. We will no longer talk about "our grandparents" farming, but about "our grandchildren"… Agriculture is becoming in fact an increasingly young sector, with about 57 thousand agri-food companies run in Italy by under 35 farmers (according to datas of the Chambers of Commerce), with varied and specialized activities, and a considerable portion of female workers. Italy has been in 2017 the first country in Europe for the presence of young contractors in agriculture, reaching a + 6,8% of "young" companies compared to 2016.

Among the regions, Sicily has the leadeship of this trend, followed by Tuscany. Here we have over 3 thousand companies managed by young leaders. Massa Carrara, Lucca and Pistoia prevail among provinces. According to the Associations of farm workers, these datas confirm "The attraction of the earth to the younger generations" and that "Young firms are modernizing the work done in the countryside". This happens in various activities, ranging from transformation of products to direct sales, from educational farms to recreational activities, from social farming for the inclusion of disadvantaged categories to the production of renewable energy.

It is no longer an agriculture "born from the crisis" (almost a forced attempt for lack of alternatives); it's a convinced veer by young people who decide to start from what they have: the land of course, but also air, water, manual skills, and definitely the chance not to live doing a repetitive work, just aiming for budget and targets. A new relationship with the environment, the animals and ultimately with oneself.