The European Commission has launched an ambitious ‘Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture’ – a comprehensive roadmap designed to rejuvenate European agriculture and attract a new wave of young farmers.
The initiative aims to double the number of young farmers in the EU by 2040, targeting a share of around 24% of all European farmers.
The move comes amid growing concern that Europe’s agricultural workforce is ageing rapidly. The average EU farmer is 57 years old, and only 12% are under 40.
Without generational renewal, experts warn, Europe’s long-term food security, rural vitality, and environmental sustainability could be at risk.
Christophe Hansen, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, explained: “Our food security and the future of our rural communities depend on the next generation.
“We are making support for young and new farmers a political priority. We want every young person who dreams of farming to see a real path forward, with fewer obstacles and stronger support.
“This is why we are, amongst others, asking every Member State to act with concrete national strategies and real investment.
“This is about breaking down barriers and creating opportunities to ensure farming remains a viable and attractive career choice.”
Agriculture sector at a crossroads
European agriculture stands at a turning point. Rural youth populations are shrinking, and with them, the next generation of farmers.
Between 2013 and 2019, the number of young people aged 15–24 in rural EU areas fell from 3.6 million to 1.9 million. The decline has left many regions struggling to sustain local communities and farm-based economies.
At the same time, land ownership patterns have shifted dramatically. While older farmers often own their land outright, younger entrants are typically tenants. Today, young farmers operate 15 million hectares of rented land, compared with just 10 million hectares they own.
Limited access to land, credit, and training has created significant barriers to entry, leaving many aspiring farmers unable to start or expand their businesses.
The financing gap alone is daunting. In 2022, young farmers across the EU faced a €14.1bn shortfall, representing 22% of the sector’s total funding gap.
Investing in the next generation of farmers
To address these challenges, the Commission is calling on Member States to invest at least 6% of their agricultural budgets in measures supporting young and new farmers.
Countries will also be encouraged to mobilise additional national funds and design national strategies for generational renewal in agriculture by 2028.
These strategies will tackle local obstacles, from land access and taxation to education and pension systems, ensuring smoother farm transfers and more flexible succession processes.
Member States will report regularly on their progress, aligning national efforts with EU-level priorities.
Five levers for change
The new strategy identifies five key levers essential to securing the future of European agriculture:
- Access to land – including the creation of a European Land Observatory to improve land transparency, support farm succession, and prevent speculation.
- Access to finance – through partnerships with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to develop guarantee schemes and interest-rate subsidies for young farmers.
- Access to skills and knowledge – integrating young farmers into Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs so they can learn innovative practices and diversify income sources.
- Fair living standards in rural areas – promoting better living conditions, work-life balance, and gender equality, including co-funding Farm Relief Services that provide temporary farm replacements.
- Support for succession and transfer – embedding retirement and land mobility reforms into national policy frameworks to ensure timely and smooth farm transitions.
A starter pack for the future
Among the flagship initiatives is a mandatory ‘Starter Pack’ proposed for inclusion in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
This would provide young farmers with up to €300,000 in start-up support, along with access to training, business guidance, and simplified administrative procedures.
By better targeting CAP funds toward generational renewal, the Commission hopes to make farming both a viable and appealing career path.
A shared European responsibility
The EU’s generational renewal plan is not just about economics – it’s about reviving rural Europe.
Ensuring that young people have both the right and the desire to stay in rural areas is essential for keeping communities alive, maintaining food production, and protecting Europe’s landscapes.
European agriculture faces unprecedented pressures – from climate change to volatile markets – but with a coordinated approach, the sector can become more resilient, sustainable, and future-ready.
