In Praise of Farmers and Farming

Luke Johnson has written a superb comment piece on the economic importance of farming for our broader economic health. The sector now contributes less than one per cent of UK GDP (by value added) and the share of employment in farming has continued to diminish over the years. But with the continuing boom in prices of soft commodities and innovative investment in recreation services run by the farming community and organic products, there are signs of better times ahead.

“Farmers face many challenges: climate, labour shortages, environmental worries and loneliness, among others. Also, an unequal relationship between growers and buyers means farmers often receive scant reward for their efforts. Yet perhaps the greatest issue facing most farmers is age and succession – more than 55 per cent of all European Union farmers are over 55 years old. Farming involves long hours and hard, physical work, which deters many young people. But if we want food security, competent stewardship of our environment for the long term and a productive agricultural economy, we must persuade more people to become farmers.”

It is a superb piece and well worth reading - here is the link

UK agriculture - output as a share of GDP

Data from Timetric.

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Agriculture, value added (% of GDP), United Kingdom from Timetric

UK agriculture - employment as a share of total employment

Data from Timetric.

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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment), United Kingdom from Timetric