Nurturing skills for the EU agricultural sector

Skills required by the EU agricultural workforce span a wide range of disciplines and knowledge. Strengthening farmers’ position within the food supply chain requires their commitment to continuous learning and training. The need to explore needs and opportunities related to agricultural skills development and their updating is the background of our new Thematic Group (TG) on Nurturing Skills for a Thriving and Sustainable Agricultural Sector, which met for the first time earlier in October.

At our first TG meeting, a diverse group of EU professionals consisting of farmers, researchers, and institutions came together to examine the requirements and possibilities concerning agricultural skills development. The discussions included addressing the significance of updating rural skills with a specific focus on the agricultural workforce and identifying the various skills required for strenghtening farmers in the food supply chains.

Advice and experience provided by TG members during the online event helped to identify the skills and the changing stages throughout a farmer's career. Working sessions and presentations were combined in the TG meeting to explore how agricultural professionals can access customised training to address evolving needs and challenges.

Full details about the TG meeting and its outcomes are available. The next TG meeting will take place in early January.