Abstract
The shortage of young people interested in agriculture and the lack of generational succession in the agricultural sector is a reality that affects many countries, including Spain. In that country, less than a third of farmers are considered young. Thus, the objective of this article is to bring perceptions and reflections on the subject based on testimonies of representatives of Spanish union organizations linked, above all, to family farming. For that, twelve interviews were carried out, transcribed and analyzed based on the technique known as content analysis. The results boil down to five categories of analysis: access to land and initial investments; socio-professional training; profitability of production units; services and infrastructure in rural areas, and; public policies for rural youth. Although there are more dynamic and innovative segments, generational succession is presented as a peremptory need for the Spanish agricultural sector. Representatives of all organizations interviewed expressed concern about the shortage of young farmers and the future of agriculture. In addition, the research pointed out that generational succession, the installation of young people in agriculture and the generational renewal of the agrarian population is a challenge of great complexity and, therefore, must be tackled in an integral way, involving different sectors of society.
Keywords:
generational renewal; incorporation of young people; young farmers; rural youth