Bond layer in Møre og Romsdal want young people to stream acquisition farms - Nation

Despite good recruitment in recent years the share of young farmers has fallen sharply in the western region. The average age is 51 years, and many of the farmers are without an obvious candidate to take over the farm.

– Many could probably plan to leave the farm to the next generation, but it is not therefore clear that the next generation is ready to take over. They may be well established in other occupations or living elsewhere, says Per Eldar Nakken NRK.no.

neck is hired to lead the three-year project “Continued farming” that Møre og Romsdal Farmers Union began on 1 December. The project aims to contribute to the operation of the farm instead of closure when current farmer nearing retirement, according to a message on the Bond Team.

– The primary target group is farmers who are nearing the end of their farming career and it is not clarified generational. The aim is to contribute to the continuation of the operation through the dialogue and mapping of possible route choices and process further. It will also be necessary to provide the same to farmers in good time to clarify the way forward to a new generation, says in Nakken message.

See also: Twice as many farmers in Klepp gives away the farm

Recent figures show that there are 900 dairy farmers and the 2,800 farms in operation in the county. By comparison, approximately 2000 dairy farms and 4,500 farms twelve years ago, and the high proportion of older farmers may lead to the closure rate is even higher.

neck do not think it is possible to save all the threatened closure farms.

– Can we save a few, it is worth the effort in the project. To prevent the number of farms are becoming fewer, are not realistic. You can not stop technological progress, he says to NRK.

One of his contributions can be challenging attitude that a farm that belonged to the family for many generations, can not be sold out of the family. Here is the project leader prepared to discuss the various options and record new ideas. To get in touch with farmers in the target group, is therefore one of the most important tasks Nakken now at the start of the project.

Per Eldar Nakken has extensive background in agriculture in Møre and Romsdal, both from Valentine, who landbrukssjef in Fræna and from positions at Innovation Norway, the County and the county.