The agricultural sector faces persistent challenges that require innovation, efficient management, and sustainability to ensure its continuity and growth. In this scenario, the role of young people has become crucial, both in family succession on rural premises and their work as farming professionals. Engaging the new generation brings modernization, the implementation of new technologies, and a strategic vision for the sector’s sustainable development.
Family succession is one of the pillars of continuing activities in the countryside. The presence of young people ensures the renewal of farming practices, the inclusion of new technologies, and the deployment of innovative management strategies. However, this process must be planned, ensuring that the knowledge and experience of earlier generations are preserved while promoting innovations to increase farm efficiency and competitiveness.
Young people play a critical role in helping rural producers. Acting as professionals, they bring up-to-date knowledge and technical skills to assist in the farms’ sustainable development. Whether in Technical and Management Assistance or vocational training, the new generation helps to disseminate good agricultural practices, rational use of natural resources, and improved productivity in the countryside.
The participation of young people also strengthens the sector’s value chain, fostering a more strategic and integrated approach. The value chain in agribusiness encompasses all stages of production, from the supply of inputs to the marketing of final products. With innovative ideas, young people aid in optimizing processes, adding value to products, and linking producers to new markets, increasing the competitiveness of the whole sector.
The ATeG Universitária Project developed by SENAR has been a key initiative in bringing young graduate students closer to the realities of the countryside, training them to work in Technical and Management Assistance. Through this project, Agrarian Sciences students can experience the daily life of rural producers, applying their knowledge in practical activities and contributing directly to developing the farms in which they work. This experience not only provides professional training for these young people but also strengthens the agricultural sector with professionals prepared for the challenges faced in the countryside.
Another relevant aspect is participation in cost management and rural management. The agricultural sector demands detailed financial planning to ensure business feasibility. With more access to technology and training in areas such as agribusiness, management, and rural economics, young people can implement modern managing tools, providing greater control of costs and increasing the profitability of agricultural activities.
Moreover, training rural producers has been a priority for SENAR, which offers courses through SENAR Play: a platform that allows continuous and accessible learning for those who work in the field. This initiative enables young people and producers to learn about essential issues such as sustainable management, technological innovation, cost management, and good agricultural practices, thus promoting a more efficient and competitive agribusiness.
SENAR also develops several projects to strengthen the training of young people in the countryside, such as technical and vocational training programs and specific training for the modernization of agricultural tasks. These actions are crucial to encourage young people to remain in the sector, ensuring a promising future for rural production in Brazil.
Lastly, the sustainability of agribusiness depends directly on the inclusion of young people in the sector. Besides promoting good environmental practices, young people have an innovative vision, seeking sustainable solutions for food production, optimizing the use of inputs, and reducing environmental impacts. Valuing young people in the countryside is essential for the agricultural sector to thrive responsibly and competently.
Investing in training and retaining young people in agribusiness is therefore a critical strategy for the future of rural production. Whether managing farms, supporting producers, or seeking innovative solutions, the new generation’s lead role is the assurance of a robust, sustainable sector that is also prepared for future challenges.
Author: Luana Frossard, Project Operationalization Coordinator at Brazil’s National Rural Learning Service (SENAR)