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The Paris International Agricultural Show is taking place at a time when the crisis-hit farming industry is still struggling to attract new talent.
Every year, thousands of farmers gather in Paris for one of Europe’s largest agricultural fairs showcasing livestock, produce and tools. It’s not only an opportunity to highlight the work of French farmers, but also a forum where they can voice their worries. One of the main concerns and biggest challenges facing the sector revolves around who will be part of the next generation of farmers. The profession is on the verge of a major generational shift. For every farmer that sets up, three leave the sector. With its workforce ageing rapidly, half of France’s 400,000 farmers are set to retire by 2030.At the Paris International Agricultural Show — which runs until Sunday — a competition for sheep handling was underway when Euronews visited the fair. Students from all over France were there to either participate or help in the organisation of the competition. Jazon, a 20-year-old agriculture student, told Euronews that he initially dreamed of becoming a farmer. That’s until he was confronted with the harsh reality of the job.”At one point I had the idea of setting up as a farmer during my technical training,” he said. “I did my apprenticeship on a farm where I could have partnered up with my boss. But … it was too demanding, there are too many problems and too much work.”Every year, 10,000 farms close down in France due to a lack of buyers. “My old boss had no buyers so he decided to sell his farm. It’s a very complicated profession”, sighed Jazon. Optimism despite agricultural crisisMany farmers in France feel exasperated by low produce prices, heavy regulations, and global competition. This is a concern for many students in Jason’s agricultural school, his teacher said.”When you take over a farm, if you have to acquire the farm’s capital, you have to invest a lot. It’s a loan over 25 to 30 years. Banks sometimes don’t support you.” said Sévérine Cassel, a training coordinator at an agricultural high school in southern France. “There’s also the pressure of the job, you’re working a lot. And that can demoralise young people who want to have a family and a life away from the farm,” she added.But other students, such as 20-year-old Lucie, refuse to be discouraged by the low pay and long hours. She would like to eventually take over her father’s sheep and cattle farm. “The challenges definitely make you reconsider; that’s for sure … But I tell myself that since I’m passionate about it, that’s not going to stop me,” she said.One in five farmers live below the poverty line in France and are heavily reliant on government subsidies for survival. In 2022, farmers worked an average of 15 hours more per week than the general population, according to French government statistics. But Cassel, the teacher, said she refuses to have a negative outlook despite the current agricultural crisis facing the country. “I think we have to be positive. These young people have so many bright ideas and they will make things happen. I’m confident,” she said.
