Madrid – President Pedro Sánchez has unveiled a set of measures aimed at addressing the urgent need for generational renewal in Spain’s agriculture and livestock sectors. Central to this initiative is the creation of “Tierra Joven,” a platform designed to inform and mobilize agricultural land. Additionally, Sánchez proposed that the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) allocate 10% of its resources specifically for generational renewal in agriculture.
“The Government is committed to supporting young people who wish to pursue a career in this field, providing them with the necessary tools and opportunities to harness their talents and embark on new ventures. Involving youth in this sector benefits our country, as they represent both the present and the future of our rural areas,” Sánchez stated, emphasizing the need to prioritize this pressing challenge of generational renewal.
This announcement was made during the conclusion of an event focused on facilitating young people’s entry into agricultural activities, which took place at the iHub La Vega Innova in San Fernando de Henares (Madrid), attended by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas.
Sánchez, following discussions with young farmers and livestock breeders, highlighted that 40% of agricultural holding managers in Spain are over 65 years old, while only 9% are under 41. This trend is similar across several neighboring countries and underscores the importance of the Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture, which aims to double the number of young farmers in the EU by 2040.
“An influx of young people into this sector leads to more productive farms, increased value addition, job creation, innovation, and sustainability,” he noted.
Mobilization of 17,000 state-owned rural properties
Among the key measures announced by Sánchez is the mobilization of approximately 17,000 state-owned rural properties, which will be made available to young individuals through the “Tierra Joven” platform. “This approach mirrors our housing policy, where we instructed all Ministries to identify available land for a shared cause, such as housing development,” he explained.
A dialogue process will be initiated with regional governments, stakeholders, and the agricultural sector to establish a model that facilitates young people’s access to this land.
“We are taking a proactive approach, leading this initiative and prioritizing young people and women, so this land can be transformed into projects that generate jobs and stimulate economic activity,” he asserted.
The “Tierra Joven” platform aims to address the significant barrier hindering young people’s effective incorporation into the agricultural sector—access to land.
This Information and Mobilization Platform, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and ministries, will provide transparent, unified information on the agricultural land market in Spain.
It is set to launch “immediately” in the first months of the year, with a royal decree regulating its operations, eventually being integrated into the forthcoming Family Farming Law, which will establish an Office for Information and Transfer of Agricultural Land, similar to those in countries like France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Poland.
Allocating 10% of the CAP to generational renewal
Furthermore, the Government plans to propose that the upcoming Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) earmark 10% of its resources for generational renewal, significantly surpassing the 6% suggested by the European Commission.
“Spain advocates for the EU budget to represent 2% of the available gross national income. We face challenges as many governments, under the misleading premise of restoring national competencies and sovereignty, are, in fact, undermining the EU budget. It is vital that we champion a pro-European narrative; the EU budgets must be larger to meet increasingly pressing challenges,” Sánchez argued.
Spain will not permit any weakening of the CAP
Sánchez reiterated that the CAP “is and must remain one of the most significant legacies of the European project, serving as an investment in both security and sovereignty.” He further stated, “Those advocating for the renationalization of EU policies need to recognize that the CAP is the first common European policy, and pro-European governments, such as Spain’s, will not allow its deterioration.”
“I emphasize the necessity of a budget that must be larger, representing 2%, especially when some governments are demanding 5% for other priorities; we must defend 2% for the EU budget,”
Leave a Reply