The government will launch a new review looking into how to increase the level of young people working in the food and farming industries, according to farming minister David Heath.
The Future of Farming Review will investigate how to make horticulture a more attractive career choice for young people and recent graduates.
At this week's Oxford Farming Conference, minister David Heath said the fresh produce industry must re-engage with the youth as a rise in population puts more pressures onto UK growers.
He said: 'With rising world population, Britain has a massive opportunity to grow and export more food, and to do so sustainably. So we need to encourage new blood into the industry.
“I’m not just talking about giving people more access to land or getting them on production lines but allowing youngsters to really embrace new ideas and technology for rewarding, well-paid careers.”
The Future of Farming Review Group will be led by David Fursdon, chairman of the South West Rural and Farming Network, and he has confirmed the group will tour the country to seek opinions from a wide cross-section of the agricultural sector from farming to science.
“Producing food more sustainably is a huge challenge and we can only hope to meet it by having the right people entering the industry,' explained Fursdon.
He added: “To make this happen, we want to listen to young people’s experiences to make sure the right people are entering the industry and have the support to establish their businesses.
“I’m looking forward to pushing on with this work and building on the work already being carried out within the industry to come up with some new ideas.”
The Future of Farming Group will analyse issues currently affecting the route of new entrants into the food and farming industries with areas analysed including; graduate schemes in science; changing the traditional image of horticulture; and a lack of training programmes.
Other members of the Future of Farming Group include the NFU's Robert Law and George Dunn of the Tenant Farmers Association.
As part of a multimedia drive to spread awareness of the campaign, DEFRA is launching a Twitter competition where five young people will get the chance to meet Heath at the Houses of Parliament to discuss the issues.