Back to all Post on March 18, 2025

The Reason We’re Running out of Farmers

Have you ever wondered why the number of farmers is dwindling worldwide? While agriculture has been the backbone of civilization for millennia, today, farming is facing an existential crisis. The decline in farmers is not just an economic concern—it’s a global food security issue that threatens our access to affordable and nutritious food. If this trend continues, who will grow the food for future generations?

The Startling Decline in Farmers

Globally, the number of farmers has been steadily decreasing. In the United States, the percentage of the population engaged in farming has dropped from 40% in 1900 to less than 2% today. In India, despite being an agrarian economy, the share of people relying on farming for a livelihood is shrinking. In Europe, aging farmers are retiring with no successors to take over their farms.

Aging Farmer Population: One of the primary reasons for the decline in farming populations is aging farmers. The average age of farmers worldwide is above 50, with younger generations showing little interest in agriculture. In Japan, for instance, over 65% of farmers are above 60, and similar trends are seen in Europe and the U.S. Without young farmers to take over, agricultural lands are being abandoned or sold for industrial development.
Low Profitability & Financial Struggles: Farming is hard work with low financial returns. Many farmers struggle with fluctuating crop prices, increasing input costs, and climate-related crop failures. The global food market is dominated by big agribusinesses, making it difficult for small-scale farmers to compete. As a result, many farmers are in debt, leading to an exodus from agriculture. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 80% of small farmers worldwide live below the poverty line. Farming, once a source of pride, is now a financially risky endeavor that deters the younger generation.
Urbanization & Changing Aspirations: With rapid urbanization and industrialization, rural populations are shrinking as younger generations migrate to cities for better job opportunities. Farming, which was once a respected profession, is often perceived as labor-intensive, unprofitable, and outdated. In developing countries, parents often encourage their children to pursue higher education and move to urban areas, leaving behind a declining farming workforce.
Lack of Land Ownership & Land Access Issues: Another major challenge is the rising cost of farmland. Young aspiring farmers often struggle to buy or lease land due to high real estate prices. In many parts of the world, agricultural land is being converted into residential and commercial properties, further shrinking available farmland. Without access to land, potential new farmers are left with few opportunities to enter the industry.
Climate Change & Unpredictable Weather: Climate change has made farming increasingly unpredictable. Droughts, floods, extreme temperatures, and irregular rainfall patterns have made it harder for farmers to rely on traditional agricultural practices. Many farmers suffer huge financial losses due to climate-induced crop failures, forcing them to leave farming altogether. For instance, in California, prolonged droughts have forced thousands of farmers to abandon their farms. In India, erratic monsoons have pushed many small-scale farmers into financial distress, leading to an increase in farmer suicides.
Technological Disruptions & the Digital Divide: While agriculture is advancing with agritech innovations such as precision farming, automation, and AI-driven analytics, many small farmers lack access to these technologies. The digital divide means that while large farms benefit from high-tech equipment, smallholder farmers continue to rely on traditional and labor-intensive methods, making them less competitive.
The Mental & Physical Toll of Farming: Farming is one of the most physically demanding professions, with long hours, seasonal income, and high levels of stress. The mental health crisis among farmers is an often-overlooked issue. High debt, crop failures, and the uncertainty of income have led to alarming suicide rates among farmers worldwide.
The Disconnect Between Consumers & Farmers: Urbanization has widened the gap between consumers and farmers, with over half of the global population now living in cities. As food production becomes increasingly mechanized and supply chains lengthen, fewer people have direct exposure to farming. Supermarkets and fast food chains have distanced consumers from the realities of food production, fostering a lack of awareness about where food comes from and the challenges farmers face.

The Future of Farming: What Can Be Done?

While the farming crisis is serious, solutions exist to reverse the trend. Here’s how we can encourage more people to take up farming:

Regenerative Agriculture & Sustainable Farming: Promoting regenerative agriculture can make farming more profitable and environmentally sustainable.
Better Financial Support for Farmers: Governments and financial institutions must provide low-interest loans, fair pricing models, and direct-market opportunities for small farmers.
Education & Awareness: Integrating agricultural education in schools and promoting farming as a viable career option can attract younger generations.
Technology Access for Small Farmers: Ensuring that small-scale farmers have access to modern farming technology can help improve their productivity and income.
Consumer Awareness & Support: Buying from local farmers’ markets and supporting organic, regenerative, and sustainable farms can help make farming more profitable.
Community driven support for farmers: Foster farmer support groups and knowledge-sharing networks. Local and digital farming communities allow farmers to exchange best practices, share resources, and navigate challenges together.

How UFCo. Empowers Farmers

At Urban Farms Co. (UFCo.), we are dedicated to reversing this trend by empowering farmers and making agriculture a viable and profitable profession once again. We help farmers transition from chemical farming to regenerative farming, which not only eliminates their crop investment in expensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides but also restores soil health for long-term sustainability.

During this transition, UFCo. provides maximum support in terms of skills, knowledge, and access to our in-house natural compost and bio-inputs. This ensures that farmers can shift to regenerative practices conveniently and seemlessly. We host regular farmer training sessions across all our hubs, ensuring that every farmer is equipped with the knowledge and confidence to implement regenerative techniques effectively.

Our field executives closely monitor crops at every stage, providing real-time guidance to farmers. Unlike conventional farming, where yields often drop during the transition to sustainable practices, UFCo.’s regenerative model ensures zero yield drop from the first crop itself. This eliminates any risk for farmers, making the shift to regenerative agriculture a win-win situation.

Additionally, UFCo. ensures full buyback of produce at market-equivalent or higher rates, ensuring that farmers achieve a fair price for their crops. Our farmer network is constantly growing, and our 90% farmer retention rate season on season speaks volumes about the success of our model. Interestingly, regenerative farming has also begun to attract young farmers, as they see the benefits of a sustainable and profitable future in agriculture. Once farmers make the transition with us, they never look back to chemical farming again.

UFCo. Farmer Testimonials

The success of UFCo.’s regenerative farming program is best reflected in the voices of our farmers. Many have not only transformed their lands but also their outlook on sustainable agriculture. Here are some of their experiences:

Tilak Raj (A successful farmer from Delhi, working with UFCo. since 2021): “I initially joined the programme from a commercial perspective. Now I see a transformation in my land and the profitability that comes with it.”
Sachin Chauhan (A happy farmer from Delhi, working with UFCo. for 4 years now): “Our trust in this has increased and now when people from neighbouring farms see we are engaging in these regenerative practices, they ask us to teach them as well.”
Priya Anil Wagh (A successful female farmer from Maharashtra, working with UFCo. since 2024): “I started with 1 acre and now I am doing regenerative farming with UFCo. on 3 acres of my land. We are growing cabbage and tomatoes. I have got good profits and I am really happy.”

These testimonials highlight how UFCo. is creating a ripple effect in the farming community, inspiring more farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture and move towards a more sustainable and profitable future.

So, the next time you eat a meal, remember: behind every bite, there’s a farmer. Let’s make sure they don’t disappear. The power to reverse this crisis is in our hands. Support local farmers, advocate for sustainable policies, and choose foods that contribute to a healthier planet. Every meal is an opportunity to strengthen the food system—let’s make sure we’re part of the solution.