I Won't Farm!
The average age of a farmer is 60. So where have all the young farmers gone and why?
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)
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Farmers: A dying breed?
Duration: 01:04
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"It was taking my dad's life away"
Duration: 03:37
Broadcasts
- Thu 7 Dec 201700:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa, West and Central Africa, South Asia & East Asia only
- Thu 7 Dec 201703:32GMTBBC World Service Online, UK DAB/Freeview, Europe and the Middle East & Americas and the Caribbean only
- Thu 7 Dec 201704:32GMTBBC World Service South Asia & East Asia only
- Thu 7 Dec 201705:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Thu 7 Dec 201711:32GMTBBC World Service except News Internet
- Thu 7 Dec 201721:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Thu 7 Dec 201723:32GMTBBC World Service Online, UK DAB/Freeview, Europe and the Middle East, Australasia & Americas and the Caribbean only
- Sun 10 Dec 201708:32GMTBBC World Service except News Internet
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The Food Chain
Examining what it takes to put food on your plate




