Significant, albeit insufficient, the recent rains have broken the vicious cycle of consecutive drought years. For now, experts remain divided on the impact this will have on the agricultural season and livestock activities. However, optimism is deeply ingrained in the DNA of farmers. It is precisely these values, along with the ancestral knowledge of rural communities, that must not be irreversibly lost.
Beyond economic considerations, the real challenge is ensuring that young people in rural areas do not turn their backs on the countryside—and, by extension, on livestock farming. The relevant authorities are well aware of this issue. Warnings are increasing about the potential loss of invaluable expertise in areas such as breed selection and pasture management. Reports indicate that nearly 30% of livestock farmers have abandoned the practice due to climate conditions and resource shortages. Given these circumstances, livestock farming has lost much of its appeal. It is a demanding activity with unpredictable revenues, influenced by multiple, often uncontrollable, factors.
Today, one of the main challenges for agricultural strategy and the ministry overseeing it is to restore the appeal of livestock farming. Doing so would contribute to the preservation of local practices and prevent further weakening of the rural fabric. Achieving this goal requires more than just implementing support programs. The key is to restore the overall attractiveness of agricultural activities.
Amid the pressures of rapid urbanization and the risk of losing ancestral practices once passed down through families and tribes, it is crucial to ensure that rural areas remain places where people can enjoy a good quality of life. Most importantly, young people in these areas should be able to thrive—remaining in the field.
