WE all know that the average age of farmers in Wales is increasing but there are some encouraging signs that younger people, both men and women, are searching out farming opportunities.

There was once a time when agriculture was considered a primary resource along with forestry, mining and fishing. Times have changed and yet the need for a supply of fresh, locally sourced food has never been greater. In Wales, the farming economy is a large contributor to our overall GDP.

Even though morale in the industry is low and prices poor, many young people are still desperate to farm.

Attracting new entrants has been the subject of considerable debate for decades. The world’s population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050 so there is a requirement to increase food production by 50%.

The farming industry in Wales must capitalise on this opportunity and it needs new entrants to provide opportunities for succession in established farm businesses.

In any agriculture plan, education is always identified as a key pillar for developing long-term sustainable farming operations, regardless of size. In Wales, we are fortunate to have organisations that are working hard to educate children about farming and food. The recognition that it is important to educate new generations of farmers is a step in the right direction.

Face-Cymru educates school children about food and farming issues. This new online resource brings agriculture closer to the classroom with a database of Welsh farmers that teachers can access to organise visits to their farms.

This initiative helps children learn life lessons that will assist them in making wise food choices in the future but another benefit is that it could also encourage more young people from outside farming to choose agriculture as a career.

A constant supply of young and new blood are vital ingredients to any successful industry and farming is no exception.