Farming and agriculture are the world’s largest employers and one of the most diverse sectors, but most still associate it with hard labor. As a result, fewer young individuals are entering the sector. According to Barclays Bank, only 3% of the 18-30 year-olds polled thought agriculture was a desirable vocation, despite 76% wanting to stay physically active while working and 48% wanting to work with animals.
Overall, young people prefer to work outside of agriculture. In this post, we’ll explain why the contrary should be accurate. Nevertheless, agriculture is an exciting sector, and here are some reasons why more young people should choose farming and agriculture as a career path.
Farmers Are Aging
Over the previous decade, British farmers over 65 have surged by 70%. During the same period, the number of people under 25 running farms fell by 63%, and British farmers are now, on average, over 55.5 years old. 38% of them are 65 or older. This is more than just a problem in the United Kingdom. Farmers are getting older all around the world. According to several statistics, the average age of a farmer in both developed and developing countries is around 60 years old. With farmers reaching retirement age, there is room for young people in agriculture and farming and prospects for these young job seekers to advance swiftly. Also, we must fill these jobs with an aging workforce; otherwise, some goods and services may become scarce and thus more expensive.
High Salaries
A good wage is one of the most motivating aspects of any career. Fortunately, those in agriculture and farming can look forward to this because the agricultural sector pays highly. For example, the average compensation for a farm manager, according to payscale.com, is £38,000, while the average wage for a farming marketing manager is £42,000. Please remember that these are averages and that more qualified and experienced individuals typically earn significantly higher pay. For example, we have placed several farm managers in farm management positions that pay more than £80,000 per year.
The classic stereotype of a farmer is one of hardship. Conversely, agriculture may be a very lucrative career choice and should be viewed as such, especially by younger people.
Variety of Careers Available
Young farmers might profit from the multitude of job options available to them. Agriculture and farming have always been dynamic fields, but they are today more diverse than ever, with vocations spanning from farm work to agribusiness, agricultural economics, and agricultural technology. Moreover, those who enter the field are not required to work on farms if they do not choose to; they can work in labs, offices, on the road, and in various other settings.
Furthermore, not all agricultural vocations are directly tied to farming and may not even be related to the typical concept of agriculture people hold. As a result, excluding agriculture from the plan entirely is a quick decision that young people may make without even evaluating all of the options available in the field.
Great Employment Prospects
Agriculture and farming provide numerous job opportunities. According to UCAS, 69.3% of the 15,130 students studying agriculture in 2014/15 went straight into employment. Furthermore, Harper Adams University, a higher education institution devoted to agriculture studies and rural development, has a graduate employment rate of 98.8%. With such promising job possibilities, young people should consider professions in agriculture, where they can advance swiftly and advance to higher positions.
Diverse Farming Degrees
One of the reasons there are few young people in agriculture is that the profession may be intimidating and ambiguous. It is also not a subject taught in schools, so most young people need to be aware of the opportunities this business can provide. If you didn’t know what to do, you could get a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Studies and then see what you wanted to specialize in. However, there is now a wide variety of farming degrees. When pursuing an agriculture degree, young people are allowed in their studies. There are specializations in agribusiness, rural development, and agricultural finance that you can begin working towards when you complete your undergraduate degree.
A Reliable Option
Another compelling incentive for young people to explore agriculture is that it is a secure and dependable career path. Other industries may come and go, but agriculture is here to stay. Moreover, we will always require food significantly as the population expands. According to the UN, the world’s population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050, requiring 70% more food.
Technology and Innovation
The agricultural industry, particularly in the United Kingdom, is becoming increasingly technological. It is one of the most rapidly changing industries in the world today, and it continues to advance at a rapid pace. Some people still consider farming archaic and labor-intensive, yet this couldn’t be further from the truth. From drones and artificial intelligence (AI) to breakthroughs like precision farming, the agricultural industry is embracing increasingly sophisticated technology that produces many new job opportunities while also enhancing efficiency and yields.
Look no further than agriculture and farming if you are interested in technological breakthroughs and want to work in an industry constantly innovating.
Rewarding and Fulfilling Work
Furthermore, more young people should work in agriculture because it is productive and gratifying. In the United Kingdom alone, the agricultural business contributed £9435 million to the GDP in 2020. Working in agriculture benefits the economy and has a positive impact on the world and the environment. Working in this profession can provide job satisfaction because you’re making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, such as supplying food and changing the environment’s future.