Many believed that agriculture was always destined to experience a slow decline ever since the island joined the European Union in 2004.
The EU’s Common Agriculture Policy is perceived to assist farmers working on large farms rather than those with microscopic holdings and who seem to be far too small to be sufficiently viable from an economic perspective.
Against this background, it was very refreshing to hear that a professional agriculturist has set up a foundation for young Maltese farmers. Jeanette Borg is the visionary behind Malta Youth in Agriculture who, with the help of a full-time young farmer and a student from Mcast’s Agribusiness Institute, are doing their best to plough back some energy in Maltese agriculture.
Some may harbour bucolic views of what farming is all about. They associate it with a stressful but calming activity that satisfies the soul rather than the pocket of those who work the land. But there is a very different aspect to farming as practised by young people who reject the idea that work on the land is a second class occupation that is no way as rewarding as an office job.
As one of the founders of the foundation said, “agriculture has become very scientific”. The Agribusiness Institute at Mcast provides various courses for young people – many of them coming from families that traditionally practised farming – who want to make farming their career. With only 1,301 full-time farmers still employed in agriculture, the prospect of enticing more young people to work the land is indeed refreshing and commendable.
Farming and its ancillary activities need not be an unprofitable occupation. With some entrepreneurial knowhow, young farmers can create various economic activities that will be rewarding and banish the idea that farming is mostly just plain hard work with no monetary reward.
The agribusiness industry, for instance, can provide a profitable niche for the tourism industry. While the land available for such an activity is not vast, agritourism could still attract a number of visitors who would want to spend their holidays doing something quite different. If one were to combine the protection of the environment with organic farming methods, one could appeal to discerning tourists who look for quality in their leisure activities.
One of the young prospective farmers behind the Malta Youth for Agriculture foundation seems to have the right ideas and motivation on how to make a success out of his studies. “I will graduate next year and would like to specialise in artisanship and the promotion of Maltese products, in particular honey, processed olives and oil,” John Gauci, 19, said.
Many tourists visiting these islands as well as many locals would, no doubt, be very willing to support such a young farmer by buying his products, even if they may cost more than the mass-produced agricultural products that one can get from a supermarket.
Foundation administrator, Karl Scerri, 21, has shown that they do not have their heads in the air but know that a lot of hard work is involved in making farming a viable career choice. “Ours is not an easy industry but young farmers in Europe face similar problems to those in Malta.”
By uniting, young farmers can have more clout in obtaining financial support from EU funds.
Yes, farming can still be a proper business for young people who are not prepared to go for the easy option of working in an office. They certainly deserve to be encouraged through financial support and moral encouragement.