Agricultural succession challenges rising in Poland and Ireland

Agricultural sectors in Poland and Ireland are facing significant challenges regarding farm succession and a declining interest in farming as a long-term career.

In Poland, discussions within a parliamentary subcommittee have highlighted that the difficulty in passing farms to the next generation stems from more than just a lack of interested youth. Factors include intergenerational conflicts, where younger generations seek to implement new technologies and different production methods, and the reluctance of older farmers to relinquish control or their social status within the family. To address this, there have been proposals to introduce bridge benefits to encourage older farmers to transfer their holdings earlier.

In Ireland, research conducted by Agriland indicates a sharp trend toward leaving the industry. Approximately one-third of Irish farmers plan to exit agriculture within the next five years, with 20 percent of those intending to leave being between the ages of 45 and 54. Key drivers for this exodus include high levels of bureaucracy, environmental regulations, financial instability, and the inability to maintain a work-life balance. A study showed that 47 percent of respondents had not taken a vacation for over a year, reflecting the intense and constant demands of the profession.