I Won't Farm!

The Food Chain

• Episode: I Won't Farm!
• Website: The Food Chain
• Feed URL: https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p028z2z0.rss
• Duration: 00:27:58
• Published: 2017-12-07 04:00

The average age of farmers globally is thought to be around 60, and rising. So where have all the young farmers gone and who is going to farm our food in the future? It’s an issue that could affect every single one us and the food we eat.

Emily Thomas meets families in Kenya, the UK and the Netherlands to find out how farmer’s sons and daughters really feel about taking over the family business. How much of a role do economics, regulations, lifestyle and public perceptions play in driving them from agriculture?

This is the first of two episodes to explore why so many young people across the globe are turning away from farming, and what can be done to tempt them back.

(Photo: Young woman standing in an empty ploughed field. Credit: Getty Images)