Just two days after the European Commission launched its new Strategy on Generational Renewal in Agriculture, regional leaders, EU representatives, and young farmers gathered in Cieza for the EPP-CoR Local Dialogue organised by the Region of Murcia on “Young Farmers, Innovation and Sustainability: Securing the Future of European Agriculture.” The meeting, hosted in the historic Siyâsa Museum, brought together voices from across Europe to discuss how innovation, education, and sustainable water management can ensure a thriving agricultural future for the next generation.
Opening the event, Tomás Antonio Rubio, Mayor of Cieza, welcomed participants and reminded them that “youth is not the future — youth is the present.” He praised the region’s agricultural heritage and its openness to innovation, stressing that the Popular Party is investing in the present — in agriculture, in young people, and in water — to secure the future of Spain’s rural regions. Speaking from the heart of Murcia’s ancient Siyâsa settlement, he described the event as a symbolic link between cultural roots and the living spirit of agriculture.
From the regional government, Sara Rubira Martínez, Regional Minister for Water, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, underlined the vital role of the agri-food sector in Europe’s food security and the Murcian economy. She highlighted that 40% of farm owners are now over 65 and warned that generational renewal must become a political priority at all levels. “The future of agriculture depends on our young people,” she said. “We must give them the tools, resources, and water they need to build a prosperous, innovative, and sustainable countryside.”
In a video message, Piotr Całbecki, President of the NAT Commission and Marshal of the Kuyavian- Pomeranian Voivodeship, described support for the new generation of farmers as “a natural mission for the future of Europe.” “Farmers are not only the backbone of our economy — they are the guardians of our heritage, our culture, and our identity,” he said.
Representing the European Commission, María Gafo Gómez-Zamalloa, Head of Unit for Social Sustainability at DG AGRI, presented the newly adopted EU Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture. She explained that the strategy aims to make it easier for young farmers to access land, credit, and knowledge while improving rural services such as healthcare and education. Among its flagship actions are a “Young Farmers’ CAP Partnership”, a European Observatory on Land Access, increased co-financing of up to 85% for young farmers’ investments, and an “Erasmus for Young Farmers” programme. “Generational renewal means more than supporting farms — it’s about building vibrant rural communities with schools, healthcare, innovation, and opportunity,” she said.
Maravillas Abadía Jover, Member of the European Parliament and moderator of the first round table, warned that “the true death of Europe would be to abandon our rural world.” She stressed that young people must be at the heart of Europe’s territorial and social cohesion policies, adding that investing in rural life means investing in the continent’s identity and future.
MEP Carmen Crespo Díaz called for pragmatic policies to defend the future of agriculture. She urged the EU to simplify procedures within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), strengthen scientific water management, and ensure fair trade conditions for European producers. “Simplifying doesn’t mean deregulating — it means giving farmers the freedom to work and innovate,” she said, applauding Murcia’s leadership in water reuse and efficiency as “a model for all of Europe.”
From Hungary, Patrik Schwarcz-Kiefer, member of the EPP-CoR and of the County Council of Baranya Vármegye, gave a personal account of the obstacles facing farmers — from bureaucracy and unpredictability to high entry costs and lack of access to land. “Without young people returning to rural life, there will be no future for European agriculture,” he warned, calling for simpler rules and stable, long-term opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
Local voices grounded the debate in real-world experience. Ana María Fernández Martínez, a young farmer from Murcia, spoke of the daily challenges of water scarcity, rising input costs, and administrative burdens. “Our path is agriculture,” she said, “but the countryside needs a real boost so young people can build their future where they belong.” Karim Belhaki Rivas, a third-generation beekeeper and innovator, showcased a new digital tool for apiaries and warned against unfair competition from third-country imports. “The clearer the rules, the faster we move forward — certainty drives innovation,” he said.
From Belgium, Joke Schauvliege, Member of the Provisional Executive of East Flanders, highlighted how smart farming and data-driven decision-making can transform the sector, emphasising collaboration between farmers, research centres, and technology developers. “Smart farming is teamwork — sharing knowledge and using resources wisely to make agriculture resilient and sustainable,” she said.
Murcian farmers José Ávila Molina and Carmen María Lucas closed the discussion by stressing that innovation must go hand in hand with education and cooperation. “Innovation and cooperation are the keys to the future of agriculture,” they affirmed. “We need to bring research from the lab to the land and have big and small farms working together.”
Throughout the morning, Murcia’s remarkable record in water reuse — reaching 98%, the highest rate in Europe — was cited as proof that sustainability and competitiveness can go hand in hand. Participants agreed that supporting young farmers, investing in research, and ensuring fair conditions are essential to secure Europe’s food sovereignty and territorial balance.
The event demonstrated that the EPP-CoR and its representatives at local, regional, and EU level are united in defending the countryside — ensuring that Europe’s agricultural heart remains strong, innovative, and full of life.