Cities drawing farmers away from the land

By Danielle Galvin
RURAL farming families say they are concerned about how many young people are moving to major cities and away from the land.
They have told the Department of Primary Industries that the moves are prompted by lack of career options in rural Victoria.
DPI social researcher Neil Barr said he has witnessed a lot of angst in Victorian farming towns about the future of agriculture.
The social researcher studies rural family dynamics and told the AgFutures forum last week about his experiences growing up on a farm in his talk about the future of the agriculture industry.
Strategic planners, policy analysts and DPI representatives were told that farmers must produce more than ever before.
“Fifty years ago, we had about 70 dairy farmers in the Yarra Ranges. Now we have four or five who are producing more than ever,” he said.
“I’ve spent my whole life asking myself why I’m not a farmer!” he said.
The conference, hosted by the DPI, heard from a number of experts speaking about how changes in agriculture have affected what Mr Barr called the ‘farming dream’.
“Farmers have needed to invest in their future to catch up with the 1 per cent terms of trade decline and the income expectations,” he said.
Those attending the conference heard that there have been major changes in the agriculture industry.
“There is more and more land for sale, but who’s buying it?” Mr Barr asked.
He said that younger farmers expect their farms to be a worthwhile investment and a lifestyle choice.
“Every farmer is not equal. Farmers earning $500,000 after tax are mostly younger farmers who wouldn’t be in the industry for less.”
Mr Barr said people came to farming later in life for a tree change.
“Often older farmers have had other careers, but have had a hankering to farm or a pent up interest in it,” he said.
He said that a 2008 survey of 1300 farmers revealed that one third were thinking about selling their land because they were dissatisfied with country life.
“What we found from the survey was that farmers need explicit social choices,” he said.