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LV At the Farmers' Parliament Congress, farmers and the Minister of Agriculture will discuss the availability of labor in rural areas and agricultural policy after 2020
On Friday, March 8, the annual congress - conference of the association "Farmers' Council" will take place at Bulduri Horticultural Secondary School. Minister of Agriculture Kaspars Gerhards will also participate in the congress to discuss the common agricultural policy after 2020 and workforce security in the regions with farmers.
Juris Lazdins, Chairman of the Association “Farmers’ Council”: “The following issues are currently important for farmers – the common agricultural policy and competitiveness after 2020, as well as the provision of labor in the regions. Latvian farmers have a very active year of defending Latvia’s interests ahead of them. We hope that state and non-state structures will be able to successfully cooperate so that Latvia receives non-discriminatory EU funding in the next planning period, which would allow the country’s economy and living standards to approach the EU average.
As the season approaches, problems related to labor are becoming increasingly acute in agriculture. And I don't mean only the physical availability of labor, but also its skills, motivation to work, and mobility. Some farmers are introducing modern technologies into their farms, which can partially replace employees, but not everyone can afford them and there are still a number of sectors where labor is needed. Therefore, let's discuss with the minister what farmers and the state can do to stabilize employment in the regions?
Minister of Agriculture Kaspars Gerhards: “The agricultural and forestry sectors are the backbone of Latvia’s exports. Therefore, it is essential to support and strengthen these sectors so that they continue to grow and develop. One of the most important points in the development of the sectors is the quality of the workforce, as well as its availability, especially in the regions. Last year’s study indicated that approximately 761% of all those employed in the agricultural sector do not receive any remuneration at all. It should be said that this also includes the employment of family members – both parents and children. In addition, despite the fact that the productivity level may have increased, unemployment in the regions is still growing. These are problems that are interconnected and can be solved by popularizing the agricultural sector among young people – it is necessary to ensure accessible and high-quality higher education, as well as budget places. This sector must be made attractive in the eyes of young people so that they choose to associate their lives and profession directly with the agricultural sectors. We must also work on increasing the average level of remuneration in the sector so that compatriots who have left will return home. "Where there is work, there will be residents!"
Participant registration from 09:00
Opening of the "Farmers' Council" congress, board elections at 10:00
Discussion of members of the "Farmers' Parliament" with the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Economics at 1:30 p.m.
"Farmers' Parliament" conference "IT solutions - future opportunities and challenges in the industry" at 2:30 p.m.
Congress ends at 3:30 PM.
Representatives of the mass media are also invited to participate in the congress. To apply, please contact ZSA public relations specialist Līva Norkārkli tel. 29237221 or e-mail: liva@zemniekusaeima.lv
