I feel genuinely sad that most farmers are relatively too old to do the job.

It is a cultural problem. It would take too long to discuss all the details.

I sit with these men farmers who are 60+ years old sometimes and I really feel bad. All sorts of health issues, their countless challenges.. And many of them are so considerate and sweet towards me even when I am a stranger. They try to be engaging and helpful.

They won't stop working. It is all they have known. It is who they are, and their kids won't step in because too much of hassle to keep up with the needs of the lands.

Some of them work at night in the middle of nowhere. It is not safe.

Ahh, rant over. I should sleep soon.

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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

In many of the countries I am familiar with, this is a cultural and economic problem. The young are unwilling to serve as unpaid labourers to the family patriarch in return for an uncertain future reward. The concentration of land in the hands of a few inhibits the growth of a healthy rental market in which aspiring young farmers can shape their own futures. So farmer capitalists - rich in assets, poor in cash - have no choice but to work until they drop.

You reap what you sow.

Miram · 31-35, F

@SunshineGirl

It is not capitalism.

And when I step in with my workers, we get 50%. That is usually the deal here, relatives or not.

The government allocated programs. There is simply not enough interest because farming isn't as profitable as other areas when prices are regulated and other cultural factors I am not going to discuss here. Which I already said in my initial thread.

Roundandroundwego · 61-69

@SunshineGirl healthy rental market? There lies despair. Obviously you're going to neoliberal economics despair.