More young farmers have applied for financial support for establishment this year than there were funds allocated, after the requirements for the support scheme have been eased. According to a press release from the Ministry of Food, support has been sought for over 234 million Danish kroner, which exceeds the allocated budget by 41 million kroner. However, additional funds have been found to accommodate the many applications.
The Minister of Food, Jacob Jensen, stated that it is extremely positive that so many young people want to contribute to the development of Danish agriculture. The changes in the support scheme, which now allow practical experience to count in the application, have made it easier for young farmers to obtain support.
The Danish government also plans to increase the financial framework for the establishment scheme by approximately 200 million kroner by 2030 to facilitate generational change in agriculture. A fast-working expert group will examine the challenges that young farmers face and deliver their report by the end of 2024.