Max Bauer proposes a national agricultural service
At a round table organized by the Département du Var, Max Bauer, president of the Coordination Rurale du Var and PACA, launched a proposal...
Inspired by the Service National Universel (SNU), his idea aims to create enthusiasm and vocations around professions related to agriculture and also to allow young people aged 16 to 25 to discover rural life. He details his project: 'This must not be an internship, nor volunteering, nor even salaried employment, it is a voluntary commitment for a period of 6 to 12 years. This service must be an entry point to agricultural careers for young people who have not lived in an agricultural environment.'
Each year, this scheme would allow 50,000 young people to discover the agricultural world. These girls and boys would need to be financially supported by the State, and it would be necessary to ensure that hosting them on farms does not create constraints for the farmer in their activity. This therefore requires funding human resources dedicated to supervision.'
This idea could spark great interest among politicians, as the agricultural leader explains: 'The objective is to inspire vocations, to bring young people closer to rural life. It is a real immersion and an invitation to discover our territories and their traditions. This integration would bring urban youth closer to rural life.
It's a winning bet!'
TRAINING THE FARMERS OF TOMORROW Thus, the agricultural unionist launched this innovative idea to address the difficulty of inspiring vocations in agricultural professions. Surrounded by Yannick Simon, president of Cœur du Var and mayor of Cabasse, Nicolas Bourgeois, director of Agricampus (Hyères), Sébastien Perrin, representative of the FDSEA, and Sylvain Audemard, president of the Chambre d'Agriculture, the president of the Coordination Rurale du Var looked back on the discussions. Ingrid Mansouri, who hosted the debates, questioned him on the environment, responsible agriculture, and the values to be passed on to young people.
'My idea is to raise awareness of the terroir, rural life, and all the dimensions of the farming profession. It is urgent to train the farmers of tomorrow. The renewal of generations is a real challenge. We will have to show innovation, responsiveness, and political courage,' replied the union leader.
'By 2035, given current trends, the number of farms is expected to fall by 30%, since 43% of farm operators are at retirement age. Yet, even if the number of farms decreases, thousands of jobs need to be taken over each year to maintain stable agricultural production. Agricultural work is often considered difficult, poorly paid, and unrewarding.
There is not just one farming profession, but a whole range of activities and practices,' specified Max Bauer.
Photo PRESSE AGENCE.