Sardinian Agriculture in the 7th Census of Agriculture: Characteristics, Structures and Dynamics of Generational Renewal

The data from the VII general agricultural census provide a clear snapshot of the structural characteristics of companies on the eve of the new CAP. The data highlights once again the need to guarantee and support generational renewal. The aging of the agricultural sector is a common trait throughout Italy but some regions such as Sardinia demonstrate a timid reversal of trend. Istat data were used to investigate the existence of traits characterizing young farmers in Sardinia in order to identify possible determinants capable of facilitating their settlement. The analysis provides us with distinctive aspects of young Sardinian entrepreneurs compared to those over 40. However, Istat data do not allow us to identify any strategic determinants, indeed they highlight some important weaknesses compared to the national average values. To fully understand the existence of factors favorable to the establishment of young people in agriculture, further information about structural aspects of farms and qualitative analysis are obviously necessary.