How to Get Young People into Farming

“Young people in farming” isn’t just a hashtag or a sensation—it’s the key to fixing the broken agriculture system. In Europe, the average farmer is above 65 years of age, with less than 5.6% of farmers under 35. This is a ticking time bomb. Millennials and Gen Z are more interested in corporate/white-collar jobs. But here’s the good news: farming can offer the same package i.e be categorized as a white-collar job if we frame it right. In this post, we discuss how to make dirt and drones irresistible to the younger generation.

Why We Need Young People

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Agriculture’s workforce is graying faster than a stormy cloud. Chances are high that when farmers in developed countries retire in the next 10 years, there will be only a few successors lined up to take over. On the other hand, the effects of climate change and population growth require more food, not less. With young people not going into farming, we risk food insecurity, lost traditions, and the collapse of rural communities. The solution is simple but let’s create an analogy: by 2050 the world population will be close to 10 billion and we need to be more innovative and tech-savvy to cater to the world’s needs. And this is where youth come in because they have all these traits.

Dispelling Myths

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Farming isn’t for old people anymore. Let’s squash this stereotype. Agriculture today is bigger than plows and pigsties, it’s CRISPR crops (editing of plant genome to create a more pest resistant, high yielding crops) coding and carbon credits. There are speculations that young people associate farming with “hard labor” or “poverty.” Well, not anymore! This is a time to rebrand. Here are some other stereotypes we need to squash:

• “Farming doesn’t pay.” It does! In 2024, agri-tech companies raised over $6 billion, with venture capitalists having huge expectations on the future of agriculture.
• “You need to acquire land to farm.” Rooftop gardens and hydroponic farming are making a global name in agriculture.
• “Farming uses only low tech. ”Precision agriculture, AI, sensors, and the use of drones are changing that myth.

Young people don’t just use tech—they live and breathe it. We believe that more youths would consider farming as a career if it involves cutting-edge technology. Using technology in farming includes:

• The use of drones in crop monitoring, planting, and pest control.
• The creation of farming apps such as CropIn, Tend, Phytech, OpenPD,and iAgric, which allows users to grow crops remotely via smartphone.
• Virtual reality farms where youth can be trained without getting their boots dirty.

For instance, in Kenya, iCow—a start-up launched 10 years ago—has helped over 1 million young farmers via SMS-based livestock advice. The combination of tech and farming is a match made in heaven.

Planting Seeds in Kids Early

Let’s start from the grassroot. Exposure is key. Kids who have never pulled a vegetable from soil won’t dream of farming. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers the Ag-Tech Career Exploration (ACE) program, which may encourage kids to pursue agricultural careers.

How to sow the seeds

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• School gardening programs: Farmers should partner with schools to set up gardening programs where students can plant and harvest their produce.
• YouTube agfluencers: Partner with creators to make farming viral.
• Farm-to-desk learning: Teach coding through precision agriculture modules.
• Scholarships: Offer free agri-tech degrees with internships at virtual farms and so on.

The Role of the Government in Paving the Way for Young Farmers

Young people going into farming need land, loans, and favorable laws on their side. Below are a few things the government can do:

• Creating more opportunities for online and offline agricultural training.
• Children empowerment at the grassroots using farming best practices.
• Easy access to capital, information land, and technology.
• Creating a database of agencies that can provide information on agriculture.
• Providing market opportunities for products produced by young entrepreneurs through special arrangements with markets, restaurants, schools, supermarkets and hotels, etc.
• Motivating youth through flexible policies and programs.
• Developing high yielding seeds for increased productivity.
• Creating interest free loans.

READ ALSO: The Impact of AI on Monitoring Livestock for Farm Efficiency

Let’s Grow This Movement

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Getting young people into farming isn’t about guilt-tripping them. It’s about showing agriculture as a canvas for innovation, impact, and income. By blending education, policy and tech, we can turn the ageing-farmers crisis into a revolution.

To the young man or woman reading this article, here is your contribution:

• Follow young farmers on social media.
• Grow vegetables in your gardens.
• Share this article with someone who thinks farming is “just for old folks.”

The future of food is in young hands. Let’s make sure they’re holding tractors, hashtags, and hydroponic harvests. You are the leaders of tomorrow, so start acting like one. The soil is waiting!