'Agriculture in PIedmont is getting younger!

Based on data from Unioncamere Piemonte and ISTAT, updated to 30 September 2020, there are 3,645 farms under the age of 35 that operate in agriculture and stand out from sectors such as industry. This is what Coldiretti Piemonte highlights by saying that, contrary to the general trend in 2020, with the crisis caused by the Covid-19 emergency, there is a historic 14% jump in the number of young entrepreneurs in agriculture, compared to five years ago. With more than 55,000 under 35s at the helm of farms and ranches, Italy is the European leader in the number of businesses run by young people, thanks in part to the green shift in consumption and work that the pandemic is encouraging. The result is that today in Italy, one in ten farms run by young people is engaged in agriculture and livestock production to ensure the availability of healthy and quality food for Italian families at a dramatic moment for the economy and employment.

"The data shows how agriculture is still able to offer us, young people, pathways of the future," explained Danilo Merlo, regional delegate for Young Entrepreneurs. "In fact, the presence of young people has revolutionised work in agriculture, where at national level, seven out of ten farms under the age of 35 are active in activities ranging from business processing of products to direct sales, to educational farms, as well as recreational activities, social farming, agri-wellness and landscaping." Roberto Moncalvo, president of Coldiretti Piemonte, and Bruno Rivarossa, delegate of the Confederation, added: "It is necessary to invest in agriculture, which is a strategic sector for relaunching Italy, thanks also to young people who are attentive to innovation and sustainability".

Agriculture in Piedmont needs new lifeblood that the younger generations can bring thanks to new ideas born of needs and experimentation, but which can then be turned into real projects. That is why, even in the face of the crisis caused by Covid-19, we must continue to support the world of young farmers, the driving force of our economy, such as the CAP and the RDP, which allow projects to be carried out, but we must unbureaucratise and streamline the procedures that hinder the 'use of Community funds'.