In the European Union, the proportion of people employed in agriculture is continuously decreasing. In Poland, nearly 15% of the actively employed population work in the sectors of agriculture, forestry and fishery, which is well above the European average of around 5%. This ratio is 5.1% in Hungary. Besides the decrease of the percentage of people employed in agriculture, a low proportion of young farmers can also be observed. In order to ensure alignment with the strategy Europe 2020: smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, the pillar of rural development of the Common Agricultural Policy will be based on six priorities in the fields of agriculture, forestry and food processing. Apart from achieving these goals, young agricultural producers will be performing a prominent role as the engagement of young people in the agrarian sector is indispensable for the future of the sector. In my study, I examined the various reasons why young agricultural producers had started agricultural activities, and to what extent they consider it their key task to make agriculture sustainable and to protect the land and their environment.
As far as the member states of the European Union are concerned, it can be said that besides the declining proportion of agricultural workers, even the number of young farmers is constantly decreasing. In the strategy of Europe 2020: The intelligent, sustainable and inclusive growth, young agricultural growers are devoted a prominent role as taking the future of agriculture into consideration, this role is essential. In my research I am investigating the young smallholders of the southern region of the Great Hungarian Plain focusing on the young farmers of Homokhátság, as a significant section where there are agricultural properties of land of really poor quality. The farmers in Homokhátság dealing with fruit-and vine-growing or arable vegetable growing have tried to find the most suitable forms of agriculture. These characteristics cannot be found in other territories with poor fertility properties so Homokhátság can be considered as a good example. Having the results, I would like to find answers to questions like what motivated the young farmers to start dealing with agriculture, how they see their prospects for the future and what sorts of challenges they face in our age. According to the opinion of the young farmers, the new land law which came into force on 1st May 2014 did not have a positive influence on the chances of their getting a property of land. Due to the arable prices risen recently only farmers with more capital are able to buy properties. Cooperation is less popular among the youngsters and only some of the respondents were aware of the concept of machinery rings.
It could be stated of the European Union member states that the proportion of workers in agriculture is steadily declining which in addition is coupled with a low proportion of young farmers. The issue of young farmers and sustainability is a top priority in the strategy “Europe 2020: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth”, as the importance of young people’s involvement and environmental protection is indispensable to the future of agriculture. In my research, I look at the young farmers of the Homokhátság (Sand Ridge) region of Hungary searching for answers to the challenges young farmers face today in these special areas. How do they deal with environmental protection, how does their farming influence the problem of aridification?
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