Impact of the Continente Rural Development Program on the Installation of Young Farmers in the North of Portugal

Abstract

Generational renewal and the entry of young farmers into the activity are indispensable conditions for boosting the agrarian sector and rural territories, and and remain among the most discussed topics in public agricultural policy.

The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of Action 3.1, "Young Farmers," of the Rural Development Program for Mainland Portugal (PDR 2020), on the establishment of young farmers in the Northern region of Portugal between 2016 and 2018.

203 young farmers were interviewed, practicing a total of 44 different agricultural activities, in a stratification of the population with 259 groups differentiated by location, validated investment value and sector of activity.

The majority of respondents were “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied” with the production achieved and the profitability of their farms compared to expectations. The vast majority of respondents intended to continue farming after the end of the measure, albeit with a smaller area and/or animal population.

Cattle farming (milk and meat) and chestnuts were the most reliable agricultural activities, in contrast to asparagus, mushrooms, heliciculture, beekeeping and passion fruit.