Young farmers needs in the Netherlands

Transcription

1 Young farmers needs in the Netherlands Annex I.20 to the Pilot project: Exchange programmes for young farmers Client: European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development Rotterdam, 25 September 2015

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3 Young farmers needs in the Netherlands Annex I.20 to the Pilot project: Exchange programmes for young farmers Client: European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development Marie-Jose Zondag & Sacha Koppert (Ecorys Netherlands) Carolien de Lauwere (LEI-Wageningen UR) Peter Sloot (Aequator Groen & Ruimte) Andreas Pauer (Ecorys Brussels) Rotterdam, 25 September 2015 Disclaimer: The information and views set out in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the Commission. The Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this report. Neither the Commission nor any person acting on the Commission s behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.

4 About Ecorys At Ecorys we aim to deliver real benefit to society through the work we do. We offer research, consultancy and project management, specialising in economic, social and spatial development. Focusing on complex market, policy and management issues we provide our clients in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors worldwide with a unique perspective and high-value solutions. Ecorys remarkable history spans more than 85 years. Our expertise covers economy and competitiveness; regions, cities and real estate; energy and water; transport and mobility; social policy, education, health and governance. We value our independence, integrity and partnerships. Our staff comprises dedicated experts from academia and consultancy, who share best practices both within our company and with our partners internationally. Ecorys has an active CSR policy and is ISO14001 certified (the international standard for environmental management systems). Our sustainability goals translate into our company policy and practical measures for people, planet and profit, such as using a 100% green electricity tariff, purchasing carbon offsets for all our flights, incentivising staff to use public transport and printing on FSC or PEFC certified paper. Our actions have reduced our carbon footprint by an estimated 80% since ECORYS Nederland B.V. Watermanweg GG Rotterdam P.O. Box AD Rotterdam The Netherlands T +31 (0) F +31 (0) E netherlands@ecorys.com Registration no W 2 NL

5 Table of contents 1 Introduction 5 2 Activities of young farmers 7 3 Needs of young farmers Challenges for young farmers Knowledge needs of young farmers 10 4 Needs regarding learning and communication Most used information sources Young farmers obtaining information from people and institutions 14 5 Hindrances in obtaining information 15 6 Suitability of exchange schemes Participation of young farmers in exchange schemes and their satisfaction and awareness of exchange schemes Young farmers attitudes with regard to participation in an exchange scheme Issues that hinder young farmers in participating in an exchange scheme Intention of young farmers of joining an exchange scheme Opinion of young farmers about exchange schemes 19 7 Focus group participants 21 Young farmers needs in the Netherlands 3

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7 1 Introduction Objective of the Pilot Project study on young farmers The Pilot Project: Exchange programmes for young farmers has been commissioned by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) to identify the needs of young farmers, get an overview of the existing exchange schemes for young farmers and develop a guide to establish or improve exchange schemes for young farmers (DG AGRI, Tender No AGRI-2012-Eval-03). The study has been implemented by Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte in The aims of this study were: To provide a comprehensive assessment of the specific needs of young farmers across the EU: To describe and access existing schemes and initiatives for the exchange of young farmers; To identify specific results of exchange schemes and specific support measures that have proved to be effective and efficient; To provide recommendations on the design, implementation and delivery of exchange programmes and schemes. This country report on the needs of young farmers The needs analysis was performed through desk research, interviewing on average 78 farmers per EU Member State and having a focus group in each of the 28 Member States. In the focus group the results of the interviews and the needs of young farmers concerning exchange schemes were discussed. This report contains the needs analysis for the Netherlands, and contains: General information on young farmers (chapter two); The needs of young farmers (chapter three); The needs regarding learning and communication (chapter four); The hindrances in obtaining information (chapter five); Sustainability of the exchange schemes (chapter six); The focus group participants (chapter seven). The report is targeted at policy officers and other stakeholders interested in getting an insight into the needs of young farmers. Where to find more information The following documents can be found on the DG AGRI website: The 27 other country reports on the needs of young farmers; The Analysis on the needs of young farmers (report I); The Inventory and Analysis of exchange schemes for young farmers in EU-28 and a selected number of OECD countries (report II). Together with contact details of around 200 exchange schemes and case studies of 22 exchange schemes; A guide for successful exchange schemes for young farmers (report III). All reports can be found at: Young farmers needs in the Netherlands 5

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9 2 Activities of young farmers In the interviews, the young farmers were asked the following details, among others. Indicated in the table below are: The mean age of the interviewed young farmers; The % of young farmers with a Bachelors (BSc), Masters (MSc) or PhD; The mean hectares of Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) that the respondents own or rent; The mean hectares of forestry that the respondents own or rent; The % of respondents that indicate that their farm is located in a favourable or less favourable area; The % of young farmers with organic farms. Table 2.1 Some general features of interviewed young farmers (YF) in the Netherlands The n EU-15 1 n new MS 2 n EU-28 3 n Netherlands Age (mean (std)) 29.9 (3.0) (6.0) (6.0) (6.0) % YF with high vocational education (BSc, MSc, PhD) Ha UAA owned (mean (std)) 58.3 (73.0) (309.3) (165.5) (260.9) Ha UAA rented (mean (std)) 22.3 (33.4) (156.2) (157.5) (156.7) Ha forestry owned (mean (std)) 2.9 (23.4) (106.7) (22.9) (83.2) Ha forestry rented (mean (std)) 2.9 (18.6) (20.9) (25.3) (22.9) % favourable area % less favourable or highly unfavourable area % YF with organic farms Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, * n = the number of people that were interviewed in respectively the Netherlands, EU-15, new Member States and EU EU-15 are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. New Member States are the countries who joined the EU in or after 2004: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia. EU-28 are all Member States, both EU-15 and new Member States. Young farmers needs in the Netherlands 7

10 Figure 2.1 Main activities of interviewed young farmers in The Netherlands Main activities of interviewed young farmers in The Netherlands % of respondents field crops grazing livestock horticulture mixed livestock mixed crops and livestock Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, The figures above and below highlight the difference between the main activities of young farmers that have been interviewed and the main activities of farmers in general as included in the Eurostat statistics. Figure 2.2 Main activities of farmers in the Netherlands according to Eurostat Main activities of farmers in The Netherlands according to Eurostat field crops permanent crops grazing livestock horticulture granivores mixed crops mixed livestock mixed crops and livestock Source: Farm Typology in 2010 according to the Agriculture, forestry and fisheries statistics of Eurostat (2013 Edition). 8 Young farmers needs in the Netherlands

11 3 Needs of young farmers The needs of young farmers have been identified through, among others: 1. Which issues they perceive as problematic, e.g. the possibility of buying land, having access to credit, having the right machinery, having seasonal workers, etc. 2. Which knowledge needs the young farmers have. 3.1 Challenges for young farmers The interviewed young farmers were asked which issues they perceive as problematic. This is shown in the figure below. OUTCOME: The interviewed young Dutch farmers perceive almost all issues in the graph below as less problematic than other young farmers in the EU. The only issue Dutch farmers perceive as more problematic is the availability of land to rent. Figure 3.1 General needs of young farmers percentage of interviewed young farmers who perceived the issues mentioned in the figure below as problematic Availability of land to buy Availability of land to rent Subsidies Access to credits Qualified labour Machinery Other legal issues National inheritance law Access to new and useful knowledge Seasonal workers Access to useful trainings/ workshops/ networks Advice of extension services Access to insurance Interventions of my parents/ other persons Advise of private consultants % of respondents EU28 new MS EU15 The Netherlands Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, Young farmers needs in the Netherlands 9

12 The participants of the focus group concluded that although these views are not representative for all farmers in the Netherlands, they do reflect the opinions of young farmers in the Netherlands. Young farmers in the Netherlands are generally well organised and relatively well -educated. With respect to the general needs, the need of land to rent or buy is unanimously recognised as the most important and relevant need among young farmers. Land is not easy to buy or rent in the Netherlands. Together with the difficulty in accessing credit, this severely hampers the entrance of young farmers into agriculture. The return on investment is low. However, access to credit and subsidies is indeed less important. With respect to the subsidies in general, it was noted that both in the survey as among the participants of the focus group, there is a trend of avoidance. There seems to be a growing number of young farmers that prefer to operate without any subsidy whatsoever. A need not covered by the survey is the issue around environmental restrictions and legal barriers which are viewed by young farmers as a serious barrier to their entrepreneurship. The existing legal tax measure that facilitates business continuation and farm takeover is an essential and necessary measure for young farmers to deal with the many current and future challenges. 3.2 Knowledge needs of young farmers The interviewed young farmers were asked how likely it is that they will develop the skills mentioned in the table below through trainings, courses, workshops, study groups or participation in an exchange scheme. The results are included in the figure below. OUTCOME: The interviewed young Dutch farmers perceive it as less likely than other young farmers in the EU that they will develop marketing skills and skills related to resource and nature management and skills related to applying for subsidies. They perceive it as more likely that they will develop financial and management skills. 10 Young farmers needs in the Netherlands

13 Figure 3.2 Knowledge needs of young farmers percentage of respondents who answered that it was likely that they will develop the skills mentioned in the table below through trainings, courses, workshops, study groups or participation in an exchange scheme Obtain specific technological knowledge necessary for the farm Develop a farm strategy Skills related to applying for subsidies/ grants/ credit Financial skills Management skills Communication skills Networking skills/ ability to create partnership Resource and nature/ environment management Marketing skills Skills related to the improvement of animal welfare Foreign languages % of respondents Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, EU28 new MS EU15 The Netherlands According to the focus group, the generally low scores on the individual needs of Dutch young farmers in the survey compared with all other surveyed farmers in the EU can be explained by their high level of education and their high assertiveness. Generally, the knowledge and education base in the Netherlands is quite high. This likely explains why young farmers in the Netherlands (think they) can more easily fulfil their needs and experience fewer problems. Young farmers in the Netherlands are relatively more organised and educated than the average young farmer in the EU. They receive support through their high level of education and their level of organisation, including producer organisations (NAJK, LTO etc.) and cooperatives and sales associations (ANV s, Friesland Campina, Avebe, etc.). Also, the Dutch knowledge infrastructure is very well organised (extension/advisory services, accountancy, etc.).furthermore, it is a relatively small country with a very good infrastructure, making meetings and visits among farmers easy. When looking at knowledge needs specifically, the focus group concluded that it is not surprising to find management skills and financial skills as the most important needs in the survey in the Netherlands. Conditions of high land prices, low access to credit, small margins and the (resulting) strong tendency towards larger and more intensively explored farms result in high demands in the need for management and financial skills for young farmers to run their business. The large difference with the rest of the EU is explained by the relatively high awareness in the Netherlands of this high demand. In other countries, young farmers may be less aware of lacking skills in this area. The need for marketing skills is relatively low in the Netherlands: this was explained by the fact that the sale of farm products is extremely well organised in the Netherlands. Huge cooperatives and private companies offer fixed prices, long-term contracts etc. that guarantee (to an extent) sales, not only on the national but also (and mainly) on the international markets. Young farmers needs in the Netherlands 11

14 The focus group members noted that farmers may have needs that they are not aware of. These needs are, of course, not expressed in their answers. An example may be knowledge on the subject of business takeover. In order to make young farmers more aware of their knowledge needs, the focus group suggested setting up a measure for (promoting) self-analysis and selfassessment among young farmers in order to develop skills and identify training and knowledge needs. 12 Young farmers needs in the Netherlands

15 4 Needs regarding learning and communication Young farmers were asked about their needs regarding learning and communication: Through which sources do young farmers like to obtain knowledge? Which persons or institutions are information sources for young farmers? 4.1 Most used information sources The interviewed young farmers indicated that the following sources were most used for obtaining knowledge. OUTCOME: The interviewed young Dutch farmers seem to be more interested in joining a study group or network, participating in workshops, looking at farmers journals, (agricultural) trainings or courses, individual advice, using social media and reading and looking for information on the internet than other young farmers in the EU. They seem to be less interested in participating in discussions on the internet and online trainings or e-learning through the internet. Figure 4.1 Sources that young farmers use to obtain knowledge (% of respondents) Reading and looking for information on the internet Field days/ excursion Individual advice Visiting fairs/ exhibitions etc. (Agricultural) training or course Farmers journal Participating in workshops/ seminars/ conferences Joining a study group or network Participation in an exchange scheme Social media Participating in discussions on the internet Online training/ e-learning through the internet % of respondents EU28 new MS EU15 The Netherlands Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, Young farmers needs in the Netherlands 13

16 The focus group explained these results by emphasising that internet forums and social media cost a lot of time and do not deliver the right answers for young farmers. For them, it is faster and easier to find information in different ways. The focus group members even referred to internet forums as places full of negative energy. 4.2 Young farmers obtaining information from people and institutions The interviewed young farmers were asked from which people and institutions they obtain knowledge. The figure below presents an overview. OUTCOME: The interviewed young Dutch farmers seem to use almost all the information sources mentioned below more often than other young farmers in the EU. This especially accounts for banks, accountants, research institutes, input suppliers, national and local governance, agricultural consultants and farm associations. Figure 4.2 Information sources for young farmers Other farmers Farmers associations Agricultural consultants and advisors/ extensionists Input supplier Buyer/ customer Veterinarian Research institutes or similar Schools/ training institutes Accountants Banks Local government National government Political parties or party organisations % of respondents EU28 new MS EU15 The Netherlands Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, Young farmers needs in the Netherlands

17 5 Hindrances in obtaining information The interviewed young farmers were asked which issues were hindering them most in obtaining information, e.g. lack of time, too many sources, the language in which the information is available, the costs of the information, lack of good internet connection. The figure below describes the results. OUTCOME: The interviewed young Dutch farmers seem to be equally or less hindered by most of the issues in the figure below than other young farmers in the EU. Costs are an exception. Figure 5.1 Issues that hinder young farmers in obtaining information (% of respondents) Lack of time Too many different sources Language Costs Don t know where to find it Missing or bad internet connection Lack of interest % of respondents EU28 new MS EU15 The Netherlands Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, Again, the focus group considered the results representative. The participants explain the outcomes (e.g. costs are a barrier) by the fact that Dutch farmers understand what knowledge they need. Also, the results still reflect the fact that the Dutch extension service (DLV) was privatised in the late 1990s, making farm advice no longer a free government service. Seeking independent advice/knowledge nowadays costs money and if direct income effects are not obvious, Dutch farmers may easily refrain from it ( they are spoilt ). Several suppliers (e.g. fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, concentrates) do provide free advice, but of course to customers only. Young farmers needs in the Netherlands 15

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19 6 Suitability of exchange schemes The young farmers were also asked about the suitability of the exchange schemes to address their knowledge needs and their interest in participating in these schemes. This was done by asking about: Participation of young farmers in exchange schemes and their satisfaction and awareness of exchange schemes; Young farmers attitudes with regard to participating in an exchange scheme; Issues that hinder young farmers in participating in an exchange scheme; Intention of young farmers to join an exchange scheme; Opinion of young farmers about exchange schemes. 6.1 Participation of young farmers in exchange schemes and their satisfaction and awareness of exchange schemes The interviewed young farmers were asked: How aware they are of existing exchange schemes in their country; If they participated in an exchange scheme; If they improved their skills after participating in an exchange scheme; If the exchange scheme taught the young farmer what he wanted to learn. The figure below presents an overview. OUTCOME: The number of interviewed young Dutch farmers who participated in an exchange scheme or is aware of its existence seems to be higher than that of other young farmers in the EU. Like other young farmers in the EU, young Dutch farmers who participated in an exchange scheme found that it did teach them what they wanted to learn and that it improved their skills. Figure 6.1 Participation of young farmers in exchange schemes and their satisfaction and awareness of exchange schemes (% of respondents) Young farmer improved skills after participation in an exchange scheme Exchange scheme taught young farmer what he wanted to learn Participation in exchange scheme? Awareness of young farmer of existing exchange scheme in his country % of respondents EU28 new MS EU15 The Netherlands Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, Young farmers needs in the Netherlands 17

20 6.2 Young farmers attitudes with regard to participation in an exchange scheme The interviewed young farmers were asked: If they consider participating in an exchange scheme in their own country useful; If they consider participating in an exchange scheme in their own country realistic; If they consider participating in an international exchange useful; If they consider participating in an international exchange realistic. The figure below presents an overview. OUTCOME: The interviewed young Dutch farmers perceive participation in an (inter)national exchange scheme as realistic as other young farmers in the EU and they perceive participation in a national exchange scheme as equally useful as other young farmers in the EU. They however perceive participation in an international exchange scheme as slightly more useful than other young farmers in the EU. Figure 6.2 Young farmers attitudes with regard to participation in an exchange scheme Young farmers perceive participation in an exchange scheme in own country useful Young farmers perceive participation in an international exchange scheme useful Young farmers perceive participation in an exchange scheme in own country realistic Young farmers perceive participation in an international exchange scheme realistic % of respondents EU28 new MS EU15 The Netherlands Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, Issues that hinder young farmers in participating in an exchange scheme The interviewed young farmers were asked which issues were hindering them most in participating in an exchange scheme, e.g. lack of time, no replacement at their farm, language barrier, the costs of the exchange, lack of knowledge on the exchange. The figure below describes the results. OUTCOME: Lack of knowledge or money and a language barrier seem to hinder the interviewed young Dutch farmers less in participating in an exchange scheme than other young farmers in the EU. Lack of time seems to hinder them a little bit more. 18 Young farmers needs in the Netherlands

21 Figure 6.3 Issues that hinder young farmers in participating in an exchange scheme Lack of time No replacement on my farm Lack of money Language barrier Lack of knowledge % of respondents EU28 new MS EU15 The Netherlands Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, Intention of young farmers of joining an exchange scheme The interviewed young farmers were asked if: They have the intention of joining an exchange scheme in their own country; They will join an exchange scheme in their own country; They have the intention of joining an exchange scheme abroad; They will join an exchange scheme abroad. The results are included in the figure below. OUTCOME: The intention of the interviewed young Dutch farmers to join an exchange scheme abroad seems to be higher than that of other young farmers in the EU. Figure 6.4 Intention of young farmers of joining an exchange scheme (% of respondents) I have the intention of joining an exchange scheme in my own country I have the intention of joining an exchange scheme abroad I will join an exchange scheme abroad I will join an exchange scheme in my own country % of respondents EU28 new MS EU15 The Netherlands Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, Opinion of young farmers about exchange schemes The interviewed young farmers were asked their opinion of exchange schemes. They were asked if it would be a valuable experience for them, improve their skills (either management, marketing, Young farmers needs in the Netherlands 19

22 networking skills), cost them a lot of time or money and if it would improve the family income or farm results. The figure below presents the results. OUTCOME: The interviewed young Dutch farmers seem to think slightly more often than other young farmers in the EU that participating in exchange scheme will be a valuable experience for them and will improve their networking and management skills. They seem to think to a lesser extent than other young farmers in the EU that participation in an exchange scheme will improve their marketing skills and farm results. Figure 6.5 Opinion of young farmers about exchange schemes (% of respondents) Participation in an exchange scheme will... be a valuable experience for me improve my networking skills improve my farm results improve my management skills improve my marketing skills cost me a lot of time improve my family income cost me a lot of money % of respondents EU28 new MS EU15 The Netherlands Source: Ecorys in cooperation with LEI and Aequator Groen & Ruimte, Young farmers needs in the Netherlands

23 7 Focus group participants The following people participated in the focus group: Name Organisation 1 Mr John Hilhorst president NAJK young farmers association 2 Mr Henk Smith young farmer and vice-president ANOG cooperative 3 Ms Kirstin Peeters policy officer CAP, ministry of Economic Affairs (EZ) 4 Mr Koen Bolscher board member NAJK young farmers association 5 M Gerrit-Jan v Herwaarden advisor Landschappen NL, environmental NGO 6 Mr Edwin Oonk farm advisor Flynth, agricultural accountancy 7 Dr Thomas Lans associate professor Wageningen University and Research Reporters and moderators: Peter Sloot, Aequator Groen & Ruimte Michiel van Amersfoort, Aequator Groen & Ruimte Sacha Koppert, Ecorys Carolien de Lauwere, LEI WUR Date: 3 September 2014 Place: Ede, the Netherlands Young farmers needs in the Netherlands 21

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