Italy: Today, young farmers are speaking the language of business

Sunday, Jul 12, 2026

Agricultural generational change is hindered by credit access and requires young farmers to be tech-savvy entrepreneurs.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Access to credit is a major structural problem hindering generational turnover in agriculture, as young individuals with good ideas face complex procedures and inadequate guarantee systems. Coldiretti calls for financial tools better suited to modern farming, including longer grace periods and project-focused evaluations. The difficulty increases when young people do not inherit family farms, as purchasing or renting land requires significant investment. Solutions proposed include strengthening agricultural land banks, encouraging long-term leases, and facilitating the transfer of businesses from retiring farmers to new generations, a need amplified by the aging farming population. Furthermore, rising production costs, inflation, and international crises have squeezed farmer revenues, making diversification a necessary risk management strategy. The modern agricultural role is shifting from mere farming to that of a prepared entrepreneur who utilizes advanced technologies like drones and AI, manages diverse activities such as agritourism and direct sales, and focuses on sustainability, necessitating continuous, multi-faceted training.


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