Solutions to the challenges faced by young farmers

Climate, pests and diseases in crops, lack of labor or qualified labor, price of agricultural products, productivity and operational costs are the main challenges faced by producers in their business. The data are from the Brazilian Association of Rural Marketing and Agribusiness (ABMRA), according to the 7th Rural Producer Habits Survey.

Despite facing so many challenges, agribusiness continues to be essential in a country considered the breadbasket of the world and with enormous agricultural potential, especially taking into account the increase in the estimated population projection of almost 10 billion people in 2050, according to United Nations (UN). In this way, the young producer takes on the challenge of bringing greater productivity, sustainability and profitability to agribusiness.

Now, more than ever, producers need to set goals, manage their business, plan, and draw up plans. The farmer of the present and, mainly, of the future, is multitasking and entrepreneurial, as he must understand the process from the impacts of climate variables to product characteristics necessary for export, integrating knowledge to make more assertive decision-making. Good management is the only control in the hands of the farmer.

For those looking for efficiency in field work and business management, technology is essential. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa), 58,4% of the growth in agricultural production in the period between 1975 and 2015 is due to technology.

And when it comes to technology, the young farmer is already connected. Groups on social media, for example, serve as a daily platform for exchanging information, knowledge and experiences.

Developed with cutting-edge technology, agricultural machines and implements are also great allies for the farmer so that he can fulfill the mission of producing in increasingly shorter growing windows and thus achieve an increase in productivity. The use of this equipment allows for labor savings, has less impact on the environment and provides greater savings and efficiency in crops.

Precision agriculture is another resource that helps rural youth and cannot be seen as a trend for the future, but rather as a reality to meet the current needs of the segment. Technological devices allow an end-to-end change in agricultural production, from more agile planting, through more efficient pesticide application, to a high-quality harvest, helping the producer to make planting more profitable.

Technological innovations, therefore, are great allies for the producer. Now, precision agriculture has become decision agriculture, making data intelligence and information obtained through digital platforms possible, thus contributing to more assertive business decisions.

For those seeking greater security in property management, business and cultural diversification is one of the ways to go, in addition to the adoption of technological innovations. Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration (iLPF), for example, is a sustainable and profitable production system option, which consists of the efficient use of resources by integrating agricultural, livestock and forestry production within the same cultivation area. In this way, iLPF helps maintain biodiversity and soil nutrients, in addition to diversifying production and offering greater flexibility to the farmer.

In addition to what was previously mentioned, the young producer also needs to take into account the values ​​of more experienced producers, who have already faced various volatility in the sector, have the wisdom and experience acquired over time and have already experienced daily and external challenges, such as climate , pricing of products on the market, instabilities in the macroeconomy and political obstacles.

Being a rural producer is an arduous profession, but honorable and capable of bringing great rewards. The young farmer has a world of possibilities in his hands.