Italy's association of farmers says the number of young farmers in Italy has risen by 13 per cent over the last 10 years, more than anywhere else in Europe. Many young Italians struggle to find a job after completing a university degree. Instead of going abroad, some are choosing to stay at home and go into farming.
But it's been a rocky road for the new young farmers. Despite EU goals to promote an urgently needed generational change in agriculture, securing long-term financial resources is difficult for small businesses like the ones currently being established. The career changers aren’t just motivated by Italy’s high youth jobless rate, but also by a desire for self-determined work close to nature.
