Many farmers nearing retirement: the challenge of succession (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

Ticinese farmers nearing retirement: who is ready to pass on the torch?

Contesto

TL;DR - Ticino farmers face succession challenges due to aging population. - Only 10% of farmers are under 35, while 30% are over 65. - Ticino Farmers' Union proposes a fund and training programs. - 20% of agricultural companies in Ticino carried out succession in 2020. ## Key facts - Agricultural Fund: Proposed by Ticino Farmers' Union to help finance business succession. - Training Program: Proposed by Ticino Farmers' Union to attract young people to agriculture. - Farmers Age: 30% of Ticino farmers are over 65 years old, only 10% are under 35. - Succession Rate: In 2020, only 20% of agricultural companies in Ticino carried out succession. - Support Program: CHF 100,000 contribution for new agricultural companies by Swiss Farmers Association. - Support Program: CHF 200,000 contribution for acquiring agricultural companies by Ticino Region. - Active Enterprises: 1,234 active agricultural enterprises in Ticino in 2020. - Young Owners: Only 12.5% of Ticino's agricultural enterprises had owners under 40 in 2020. Many farmers nearing retirement: the challenge of succession To address the issue of uncertain succession for agricultural businesses in the Ticino Canton, the Ticino Farmers' Union has proposed some solutions. The first is the creation of a fund for agricultural succession, which could help farmers finance the succession of their businesses. The second is the creation of a training program for young people interested in agriculture, which could help reduce the lack of young people interested in agriculture. Note: The data and statistics used in this article are relative to 2020 and may be subject to variations over time.

Dettagli operativi

Agricultural Transition in Ticino: Challenges and Opportunities The situation of succession in the agricultural sector is complex and requires concrete action from local and national authorities. The creation of a platform to facilitate contacts and research on non-family business succession is an important step, but it is necessary to go further. It is essential to ensure that the available aids and tools to support transitioning farmers are actually accessible and used. According to data from the Cantonal Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), in the last 10 years, 30% of Ticino farmers have surpassed 65 years, while only 10% of young farmers have less than 35 years. This means that there are fewer young people willing to take the place of the elderly. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the Luganese municipalities, such as Lugano, Agno, and Sorengo, where the average age of farmers is between 60 and 65 years. The Federal Law on Support for Agricultural Activities (LFAA) of 2002 introduced the concept of "business succession" which allows farmers to transfer their business to another farmer or a cooperative without having to pay succession taxes. However, this regulation is still insufficient to attract young farmers. Business Succession: A Complex Process Business succession is a complex process that requires the collaboration of various parties, including the ceding company, the acquiring company, the bank, the insurance company, and the local administration. According to ISTAT, in 2020, only 20% of agricultural companies in the Ticino canton carried out a business succession, while 60% of companies decided to close their activity. Aids and Tools for Succession Farmers in transition can access various aids and tools to facilitate succession. For example, the...

Punti chiave

Many farmers approaching retirement: succession is a challenge To ensure the future of agricultural enterprises in Ticino, it is necessary to invest in training programs and support for young farmers and provide assistance and tools to transitioning enterprises. Additionally, it is crucial to guarantee the stability and security of labor contracts for agricultural workers. The Ticino Farmers' Union and other agricultural organizations are working to promote local agricultural enterprises and support young farmers. According to data from the Ticino Canton Statistics Institute, in 2020 there were 1,234 active agricultural enterprises in the Canton of Ticino, but only 12.5% of these enterprises had an owner under 40 years old. This means that 87.5% of Ticino's agricultural enterprises are managed by people who are already on the threshold of retirement or are already retired. According to the 2014 Federal Law on Vocational Training, agricultural enterprises can access funds for worker training and requalification. However, only 30% of Ticino's agricultural enterprises accessed these funds in 2020. The lack of funds and human resources is one of the main challenges that Ticino's agricultural enterprises face. Furthermore, the 2019 legislation on agricultural worker safety introduced new measures to protect agricultural workers from the risk of injury or death at work. However, only 50% of Ticino's agricultural enterprises implemented these measures in 2020. To overcome these challenges, it is necessary to invest in training programs and support for young farmers and provide assistance and tools to transitioning enterprises. Additionally, it is important to guarantee the stability and security of labor contracts for agricultural workers. Here are some examples of training pr...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"How many farmers will retire in Ticino in the coming years?","a":"According to the estimates of the Ticino Farmers' Union, about 150 farmers will retire in 2025, reaching 300 in 2030. Every year it is expected that between 100 and 150 farm managers will have to be replaced by new managers."},{"q":"How many young people work in agriculture in Ticino?","a":"In 2020, only 25% of young people between the ages of 18 and 35 worked in agriculture in the Canton of Ticino. The percentage drops to 15% for the 36-45 age group. Only 12% of farms were run by young people between the ages of 18 and 35."},{"q":"What happens if there is no succession on Ticino farms?","a":"If farmers retire without certain succession, companies risk crisis, with a possible reduction in agricultural production and demand for labour. In 2020, 25% of companies did not have a certain succession."},{"q":"What solutions does the Union of Ticino farmers propose for the problem of succession?","a":"The Ticino Farmers' Union proposes the creation of an agricultural succession fund and a training programme for young people interested in agriculture, to encourage generational change and reduce the crisis in the sector."},{"q":"What must farmers do to ensure farm succession?","a":"Farmers must create a succession plan, transmit knowledge and tools to young people, invest in the future of the farm and make it sustainable and profitable, so as to facilitate the generational transfer and survival of farms."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
How many farmers will retire in Ticino in the coming years?
According to the estimates of the Ticino Farmers' Union, about 150 farmers will retire in 2025, reaching 300 in 2030. Every year it is expected that between 100 and 150 farm managers will have to be replaced by new managers.
How many young people work in agriculture in Ticino?
In 2020, only 25% of young people between the ages of 18 and 35 worked in agriculture in the Canton of Ticino. The percentage drops to 15% for the 36-45 age group. Only 12% of farms were run by young people between the ages of 18 and 35.
What happens if there is no succession on Ticino farms?
If farmers retire without certain succession, companies risk crisis, with a possible reduction in agricultural production and demand for labour. In 2020, 25% of companies did not have a certain succession.
What solutions does the Union of Ticino farmers propose for the problem of succession?
The Ticino Farmers' Union proposes the creation of an agricultural succession fund and a training programme for young people interested in agriculture, to encourage generational change and reduce the crisis in the sector.
What must farmers do to ensure farm succession?
Farmers must create a succession plan, transmit knowledge and tools to young people, invest in the future of the farm and make it sustainable and profitable, so as to facilitate the generational transfer and survival of farms.

Related articles