A survey by the Piepoli Institute for Confeuro reveals that over half of young Italians under 35 consider agriculture a possible career.
If you thought that all Italians under 35 aspired to become influencers, you were very wrong. The surprise comes from a study by the Piepoli Institute for Confeuro, the confederation of European farmers. According to the sample collected, in fact, 55% of young people born after 1990 do not exclude or even consider a professional future in the fields of vegetable gardens, vineyards, crops and livestock as viable. A great discovery, that subverts the prejudice of lazy, idle young peoplewho do nothing other than stay connected to smartphones and social media 24 hours a day.
Be careful, we are not saying that the relationship Agri Under 35 – Let’s cultivate the futurepresented in Rome on 6 November, is a return to the primary sector. Nor to the romantic ideal of the self-sufficient farmer who cultivates his own plot and who obtains milk/derivatives and meat from the livestock for family consumption. No, it simply emerges from the document a dynamic youth, interested (and rightly) critically in the future of the agricultural sector and the consequences on nutrition in general.
Data from the Agri Under 35 study
The survey considered individuals between 18 and 35 years oldwith proportional shares by gender, age group and geographical origin. The fact that caught the eye the most is precisely the one linked to the prospects of young people, who do not disdain agriculture at all and are indeed intrigued by it.
Going deeper, we discover that 15% of young people say that, if they had adequate tools and skills, they would become farmers. AND 40% do not reject the idea to be a farmer or breeder. It is even more interesting to note that 34% of those interviewed believe agriculture is a reason for well-being and care of the territory and well 84% think that farmers and ranchers contribute to the well-being of people and play an essential role for the environment.
The study also indicates that the young people involved consider economic contributions in favor of farmers and breeders necessary for the protection and safeguarding of the food heritage, in view of an increasingly technological and cutting-edge agriculture of the future.
Young people and food: awareness and quality
The maturity of these guyseven before potential growers, lies in being aware consumers. Here’s why they consider the food they eat very importantand are particularly sensitive to the issue of quality.
90% of those interviewed say they take care of the shopping themselves and still try to always eat welland 89% also say they are willing to spend more for a quality food product. The origin of the food purchased is also considered a determining factor (79%).
Training and future of Italian agriculture
In light of the unexpected results, the president of Confeuro Andrea Tiso indicates the direction to take to make the most of young people’s desire to have a future in the agricultural sector: «It is now essential to invest in training, so that the expressed potential is transformed into concrete reality. Only in this way will it be possible to guarantee that generational change which today is the real challenge – and the greatest opportunity – for Italian agriculture”.
The products of the land have made the history of Italy, as have the farmers, custodians of a knowledge that is still precious and current. It’s nice to know that there are those who are willing to give continuity to this story, bringing an enthusiasm and innovation that only young people can provide.
