Walid Battal
In Italy, the agricultural sector is experiencing a profound revival, driven by the arrival of young farmers who are revitalizing national agriculture. This generational renewal is crucial in a country where the average age of farmers is over 57 years old. Faced with the need to preserve the agricultural heritage while modernising ancestral methods, young Italians are undertaking new initiatives to meet economic, societal and environmental challenges.
Young Italian farmers are supported by a series of national and European measures. The National Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provides specific grants to young people who want to move to rural areas, helping them to acquire land, upgrade their equipment and make it easier to switch to sustainable practices. Regional programmes also encourage young people to take over neglected family farms, particularly in the south and in historically agricultural regions such as Tuscany and Sicily. In 2024, this support has led to a 15% increase in farms run by young farmers under 40 years old, an encouraging figure for the future of the sector.
However, access to land remains one of the main obstacles for young Italians wishing to settle down, due to high prices and the scarcity of plots. Moreover, although subsidies are available, they often cover only part of the investments needed to upgrade infrastructure and adopt innovative technologies. In this context, they are turning to organic farming, short circuits and agrotourism, sectors in high demand that increase their agricultural productivity.
Despite these challenges, young Italian farmers play a crucial role in innovation in the agricultural sector. By adopting such sustainable practices and diversifying their activities, they are helping to modernize agriculture while preserving traditional know-how. Associations such as “Coldiretti Giovani Impresa“, dedicated to young farmers, organise training, establish support networks and trade fairs in order to encourage this transition by increasing the visibility of these new players.
Generational renewal in Italy is therefore a real opportunity for the sector. It now makes it possible to better adapt to current challenges, strengthen the resilience of farms and attract a new generation passionate about sustainable agriculture. If this dynamism continues to be sustained, Italy could inspire other countries in Europe, where the need for young farmers is also felt.