'Young people want clearer pathways into farming' - Report calls for 'urgent action' to address labour shortage in farming
An important new report co-commissioned by Harper Adams University is calling for urgent action to address the ongoing threat of skills and labour shortages in the food and farming industry.
The report makes clear that in the face of growing threats to British food security, securing a skilled workforce will be crucial to a productive and resilient food system.
Commissioned by dairy cooperative Arla Foods in collaboration with the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University in Newport, the report highlights that amongst the biggest barriers to entry to a career in farming are the perceptions and knowledge of young people, their parents, and careers advisors at all levels.
The report shows that only 4 per cent of young people are currently employed in food and farming, but that around two-fifths (38%)* would be open to a career in the sector. Bringing them in is crucial, but they are being held back because they do not know enough about it, see other careers as more appealing, or are unaware of the best routes into the sector.
Agriculture and horticulture face an awareness problem, an attractiveness challenge and an access barrier. Young people associate farming with a sense of purpose and connection to nature, but also with hard labour, long hours and low pay.
The importance of reliable access to food in a world of geopolitical pressures, environmental changes, and societal transformation cannot be overstated. With people at the heart of a resilient and sustainable food system, the report calls for a unified effort across industry, schools, colleges and universities, and government with three clear recommendations: To launch a national campaign to showcase the diversity and rewards of careers in agriculture; strengthen agricultural education and early exposure for young people, embedding food & farming into the curriculum, and create clear routes into the sector, supporting employers to recruit, train, and develop the workforce of the future.
Bas Padberg, Managing Director at Arla Foods, said: “The agriculture sector plays a crucial role in providing naturally produced food that is accessible, and farmers work hard to produce it in a way that cares for the world around us. At the heart of all of this is people.
“We have the opportunity to ensure our food supply chain continues to be resilient, providing essential nutrition for our society. If we don't succeed in bringing in more people and addressing current shortages there are obvious threats to the UK's food security, as well as to the affordability and accessibility of food.”
Alex Hardie, Business Development Manager, School of Sustainable Food & Farming said: "While the industry grapples with ongoing recruitment and retention challenges, we were encouraged to learn nearly half of young people we asked (42 per cent) were telling us something important: they’re not turning their backs on farming - they simply want clearer pathways in to farming. If we improve awareness and access, agriculture has a real opportunity to inspire the next generation to work in an already thriving industry.”
The report, published On Wednesday and released at a Parliamentary event for key political stakeholders, also draws on a survey of Arla’s 1,900 UK farmer owners in Summer 2025 which revealed that finding people with the right skills and experience to work on farms continues to be a chronic issue. Around five in every six farmers who have tried to fill a vacancy say that they have had very few qualified applicants – or no applicants at all. This has been difficult for some time, but it has got progressively worse over the years since Arla’s research started (around 84% now compared to 79% in 2021).
Arla farmer David Christensen said: “This report shines a light on one of the most important difficulties facing UK agriculture: how hard it is to secure the people who will shape its future. The findings make clear that attracting young talent is not a challenge that farmers can solve on their own. It demands urgent collective action; if we want a resilient, competitive and sustainable agri-food sector – if we want abundant, affordable and tasty food to be delivered reliably to our supermarket shelves - we must invest now in the people who will produce it.”
He added that Arla’s farmer owners are themselves committed to supporting the next generation. In 2025, Arla farmers reported delivering over 120 visits to schools. To help farmers provide even more engaging, inspiring and educational visits, Arla will provide a new range of materials for school visits , which will showcase what roles and jobs are part of daily farm life, as well as helping children understand where food comes from.
The full report can be viewed here https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/food-for-thought/securing-the-future-of-our-food/
