Welcome to Euractiv’s Special CAPitals edition of the Agrifood Brief. Let’s dive straight into a tour of the EU, dedicated to education and training available to farmers across Europe:
GERMANY
In the German education system, aspiring farmers can either learn their trade through vocational training – there are 14 different agriculture-related courses – or a university degree.
But while there is thus plenty of choice when it comes to first training for the job, keeping up to date with new developments, technologies, and societal or regulatory requirements is a challenge for many farmers.
When it comes to digitalisation in farming, for example, it is “difficult to keep up and acquire the necessary skills,” one owner of a small farm told Euractiv in a recent interview.
Meanwhile, environmentalists and researchers warn that a lack of the necessary training is one of the main hurdles on the country’s path towards reducing pesticide use, as farmers struggle or hesitate to implement approaches like integrated pest management, which usually were not part of their professional training.
Which support is on offer also depends on the federal region.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, a region in Western Germany with a large agricultural sector, a number of lower-level agencies, called “rural service centres”, offer consultation and education for farmers. Vocational training is also integrated into the centres.
Many other regional governments also offer training courses, as do farmers’ associations and other private entities, such as agro-industrial companies, creating a disparate offer that can be difficult for farmers to navigate.
To help, the German government agency for food and farming has set up a website that aims to gather education and training offers.
The agriculture ministry, for its part, is trying to keep agricultural training up to speed with its ambitions to up the share of organic farming. In June this year, the Green-led ministry announced the launch of a trainee programme on organic farming, funded with around € 230,000 a year. (Julia Dahm | EURACTIV.de)
AUSTRIA
In Austria, the federal and regional chambers of agriculture – farmers’ legal representation bodies – play a key role in farmers’ training.
Like in Germany, both vocational training and university degrees are on offer for those looking to become a farmer.
Beyond that, additional training and education is on offer from the Rural Institute for Advanced Training (LFI), which exists on the federal level as well as in the different regions.
The institutes are chiefly run by the agriculture chambers, and financially supported by the government as well as the Rural Development Fund inside the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The LFI’s offer includes webinars, courses, and working groups on a range of topics, including animal husbandry, legal questions, agritourism, and many more. The institute also hosts knowledge-sharing webinars, in which farmers share best practices with each other.
Additionally, many agriculture chambers also directly offer seminars and courses, including on the implementation of national and EU programmes like the CAP.
For young farmers, specifically, a programme titled EDUCA is run yearly by the farmers’ union and offers a series of modules and field trips over several months on topics related to politics and regulation, trade, and farmers’ interest representation. (Julia Dahm | EURACTIV.de)
FRANCE
Farmers make their voices heard between ploughs. A documentary film broadcast this week on French television, “Les voix de la ferme”, follows a group of farmers who travel to Paris once a month to practise their public speaking skills.
The aim is to give them the tools they need to assert themselves in the face of detractors and find a way to boost their self-esteem.
In this age of punchlines and mass communication, the Institut de Formation des Cadres Paysans, an association that trains leaders of professional agricultural organisations (unions, cooperatives, etc.), wanted to add “the art of the spoken word” to its wide range of training courses (economics, management, communication, etc.).
We laugh, we are embarrassed, but, as Laurence, a farmer near Paris, says in the film, these days you have to “learn to speak with people in high positions in government departments”.
In France, continuing education is provided by associations such as the Institut de Formation des Cadres Paysans, but also by insurance funds, trade unions and private bodies. Above all, it is provided by the Chambers of Agriculture, regional public bodies that offer over 700 training courses for farmers in all areas.
To encourage farmers to learn throughout their lives, tax credits have been introduced by the government. The Mutuelle Sociale Agricole also offers funding for training.
In the forthcoming law on the orientation and future of agriculture, which is currently being prepared, the government is announcing a “continuing training shock”. It wants to encourage farmers to spend at least 5 days a year learning new things.
To achieve this, financial resources will be made available to offer new training courses and to strengthen the farm relief service.
In France, 15,000 professionals managed by farmers’ associations are available for replacement missions throughout the country. This enables some of them to “go to Paris” to make their voices heard. (Hugo Struna | EURACTIV.fr)
ITALY
It seems clear to farmers and those who represent them that the development of the sector necessarily depends on innovation and ecological transition. This is why, over the course of the year, the two trade associations Coldiretti and Confagricoltura have each set up a training and assistance programme for entrepreneurs.
The Innovation Tour organised by Coldiretti’s Giovani Impresa started on 25 May, comprising a cycle of 20 territorial meetings that has involved thousands of farmers so far.
The central theme is the role of the Akis model in the transfer of knowledge and innovation to Italian agriculture and the opportunities offered by rural development policies.
The aim of the Innovation tour – which is part of an information project on the CAP co-financed by the European Commission – is to start a shared path of confrontation that starts from the analysis of barriers, incentives and opportunities at a regional level.
On 7 November, on the other hand, the youth division of the trade association Confagricoltura launched the ‘Carbon farming hub’ project.
It aims to assess, in the short term, the mitigation potential of climate-changing gas emissions and the impact of carbon sequestration in agricultural soils following the introduction of specific regenerative farming practices in specific areas and for specific crops.
The project includes technical assistance to the companies involved and various training activities. The initiative is designed to accompany agricultural enterprises in the valorisation of carbon stored in agricultural soils through the development of a certified carbon credit system.
CZECHIA
Czechia relies on subsidising advisory services. Czech farmers can contact research organisations of the Czech agricultural ministry, universities, technology platforms or agricultural associations to get support.
In case of a need for more comprehensive advice, they can also use the services of certified consultancy bodies. These bodies can receive funding from the new Strategic Plan for Czech agriculture created under the new CAP.
As Czech Agricultural Ministry spokesperson Vojtěch Bílý explained to Euractiv, these subsidies “make advisory services more accessible and will also help to increase the motivation to use these services”.
The increased availability of advisory services is also confirmed by agricultural organisations, including those representing young beginning farmers.
“As far as counselling is concerned, I think that is available. Either through sectoral organisations, specialised companies or individual staff at the State agricultural intervention fund,” said Vojtěch Čuba, president of the Young Farmers Club at the Association of Private Farming of the Czech Republic.
Čuba pointed out that the best way for young farmers to learn technological innovation is the membership in some of the associations active in the Czech Republic.
Those organisations provide farmers with learning workshops, study trips abroad and other opportunities to boost their skills.
In Czechia, there are also research institutions such as the Centre for Precision Farming at the Czech Agricultural University in Prague or the Society for Innovation and Sustainable Agriculture.
However, young Czech farmers have long pointed out that the biggest problem for them is the availability of agricultural land – in particular, the rising price of leases and the lack of land for sale, or its huge prices. (Aneta Zachová | EURACTIV.cz)
BULGARIA
Bulgarian farmers rely on useful information mostly from the state. Farmers get access to advice and useful information mostly from the Ministry of Agriculture and the experts they work with.
Branch organisations also rely on the exchange of information between their members, which they believe is a well-functioning scheme.
Most agricultural organisations use the site and the competences of the experts of the Ministry of Agriculture to familiarise themselves with European regulations and novelties adopted by the European Commission.
Thus, farmers are also consulted on the changes in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU and on the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2027.
“All our members are farmers. We receive forecasts and more specific expert information, such as operational analyses, from the Ministry of Agriculture and inform our members. We monitor legislation every day,” said Victoria Dimitrova from the National Association of Grain Producers in Bulgaria.
“The ministry is useful to us if there are changes in some EU regulations and the need to adapt them in Bulgaria.”
She pointed out that the members of the association provide a lot of specific information about what is happening in the regions of the country.
They have developed a scheme for sharing good practices and advice that creates continuity between generations. Georgi Tonov, the secretary of the National Association of Bulgarian Vintners, said the viticulture and wine sector relies mainly on information from agronomists.
“Our first information comes from the agronomists we work with. For regulations and more specific information, we contact the Ministry of Agriculture,” he explained.
The branch has great opportunities for the volume of information and valuable practices with other associations and associations, such as the Bulgarian Association of Independent Winegrowers, Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals and others.
For advice and useful information, farmers can also count on scientists from the agricultural universities in the country.
The branch organisations share that the line ministry has developed a “Scheme for young farmers”, as required by the General Agricultural Policy for the period 2023-2027.
It provides support for farmers under 40 years of age with an amount that is at least 3% of their direct payments budget. This support can be provided in the form of income support, investment support or agribusiness start-up support.
State statistics show that government programs to deal with generational renewal over the years have been unsuccessful because the average age of farmers in Bulgaria is approximately 60 years old.
The state is trying to attract young people to agriculture by increasing subsidies per acre of arable land by 50% for the first 5 years of entering the industry, but this measure has not yet yielded significant results. (Krassen Nikolov | Euractiv.bg)
ROMANIA
”Show me your diploma”
This year, the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture has increased the financial support provided to young farmers for establishing their agricultural endeavours. However, the eligibility criteria for this support have also been raised.
In 2023, the set-up assistance for young farmers amounts to €70,000, a notable increase from the €50,000 allocated in the previous year. Nevertheless, individuals below the age of 40 seeking this support are now required to furnish proof of completing at least 8 classes and a certification attesting to their professional competence in the field of agriculture.
Several professional training initiatives, with European funds, are available through both public and private entities.
Last month, the Applicant’s Guide was published for the “Knowledge Transfer” programme, part of the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy 2023 – 2027.
The first selection call for this initiative comes with a financial allocation of €1.8 million.
Farmers participating in this program will acquire knowledge about eco-friendly agricultural practices, the preservation and enhancement of traditional landscapes, and the reduction of pollution stemming from agricultural activities.
Various professional training courses are offered by the National Phytosanitary Authority, elucidating sustainable pesticide use to farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture, through its local branches and specialized faculties, also conducts courses.
Additionally, there is a high demand for courses organized by farmers’ associations, supported by European funds or in collaboration with banks and other financial institutions. These courses focus on sustainable agriculture and digital solutions.
Dedicated programs for women in agriculture, such as TalentA, administered by Corteva Agriscience and now in its fourth edition, are gaining prominence.
This year, 64 women from Romania and 10 from Moldova participated in TalentA, learning to develop projects in rural areas to support their communities and businesses. The program is cost-free, and outstanding proposals receive grants.
SPAIN
Farmers organisations, cooperatives and public administrations offer courses and training programmes for farmers in Spain, some of them with EU funds.
The digitalisation of agricultural farms and rural areas stands out among the current priorities and challenges. Farmers and rural development entities offer different training programs about the right digital tools.
Spain’s national CAP Strategic Plan includes support for digital training within the funds for rural development.
Furthermore, Spain has its own local “rural Erasmus”, the Cultiva programme, a training plan for young farmers.
Farmers can apply for training and stay in a different region and switch to another production for a couple of weeks (up to 14 days). Participants receive seven hours of daily training on different topics, such as economic and financial planning and management of farms or the use of digital technologies.
Agricultural organisations have asked the new Spanish government to improve training and innovation on agricultural farms and help them to respond to the new environmental scenario, in topics such as circular economy, renewable energies and forest management.
However, a study by the agricultural organization COAG and the University of Córdoba breaks down stereotypes about the training of farmers.
It pointed out that 38% of young people who work in agriculture and livestock have a university degree.
And above all, 65% have at least a high school diploma or higher education, compared to the around 48% average for young people of their generation, according to the average of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). (Mercedes Salas. EFEAGRO (Mercedes Salas | EFEAGRO)
GREECE
Young farmer’s learning ineffective in Greece
There is a variety of educational institutions, farmer associations or NGOs in Greece which organise informative workshops and sessions at the local level in order to provide farmers with information about the new CAP or best practices in accordance with European standards.
On the other hand, the state has established a programme of Agricultural Advisors who provide, on a large scale, specialised advisory support to farmers and help them access innovation in the framework of the National CAP Strategic Plan for 2023-2027.
However, formal knowledge-sharing schemes or networks for the improvement of agricultural practices do not exist in Greece.
“Unfortunately, there is no formal network for the exchange of information and advice among farmers”, the President of Panhellenic Association of Young Farmers (PENA), Nikolas Pavlianos, told Euractiv Greece,
He added that there are also several networking groups on social media for exchanging information, but warned that this information is often “not objective”.
The problem is primarily around young farmers who do not receive effective agricultural learning and training. A state programme named “Young Farmers” is basically a financial aid scheme for Greek young farmers after they attend 150 hours of education and training.
But this learning scheme “has too many gaps and cannot cover the needs of a young farmer in order to survive in the (Greek) countryside and be sustainable”, Nikolas Pavlianos told Euractiv Greece. (Marianthi Pelekanaki | EURACTIV Greece)
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
