고령화시대 청년 창업농업인 육성체계 개선방안

Abstract

심각한 고령화로 인해 우리나라 농업의 경쟁력 유지가 점차 힘들어지고 농촌의 지속가능성 또한 위협받고 있다. 농가경영주 평균 연령이 65세를 넘어선 현재의 상황을 타개하기 위해 보다 과감한 투자가 필요한 시기다. 올해 출범한 문재인 정부도 이 문제의 심각성을 인식하여 청년 농업인 육성 정책을 농정의 주요 과제로 삼고, 청년 영농정착지원금 제도를 시행하고자 하는 상황이다.

이 연구는 고령화시대 청년 창업농업인 육성체계를 어떻게 발전시켜야 하는지 다루고 있다. 이를 위해 관련 선행 연구의 연구 제안을 재검토하고, 청년 농업인의 정착 실태와 요구에 대하여 진입유형별, 단계별로 차별화된 분석을 실시하고, 창업농 관련 정책에 대한 분석 및 국내외 관련 사례를 분석하였다.

The purpose of this study was to develop measures for advancing a young beginning farmers fostering system. For the purpose, this study reviewed literature related with beginning farms, analysed agriculture statistics, investigated domestic and foreign best practices, and surveyed agricultural students, adult learners preparing for farming, young farmers, and general farmers. This study defined young beginning farmers as farmers under 40 years old with farming experience less than 3 years; classified the types of young beginning farmers into successive young farmers and new young farmers based on their farming background; and identified barriers to beginning a farm including capital, technical, and social factor. This study synthesized the beginning farm ecosystem as a systematic solution for beginning farmers’ predicaments. This study analyzed changes of the farmer age structure and forecasted the number of young farmers in the near future: the ratio of young farmers under 40 years old is 1.3% in 2015, which is one of the lowest in the world. More than 1,000 young farmers were required to be added every year to transform the trend of the declining number of young farmers. Also, this study explored various influx pathways of young farmers including school to farm and urban-rural migration, and investigated farm succession related factors: non-agricultural income and scientific farm management rather than farm scale. The young farmers’ current status of farm management and quality of life were analysed: Household income of young farmers is highly related to farm corporate experience before beginning farming and keeping accounts; and their quality of life is highly related to social factors such as mentee experience before beginning farming and recognition from community rather than economic factors. Young farmer case study showed that successful young farmers are well educated in agricultural schools or training institutes and have a good community relationship and human network. Analysis of current young farmer fostering policies, specific programs and networking of farming supporting agencies revealed the following problems: no models for young farmers; lack of policies that are working and accessible in the field; insufficient consideration of new young farmers with weak farming bases; lack of governance for young farmers; and absence of a local comprehensive supporting system for young farmers. Based on these results, this study suggested basic direction for the young beginning farmers fostering system: the beginning farm ecosystem based on local governance. The specific measures for the direction are as follows: 1) establishment of young farmer models, 2) reorganization of young farmer fostering programs by farming developmental stage, 3) establishment of local agricultural workforce development plans, 4) local governance for the agricultural workforce, 5) an one-stop agricultural workforce supporting organization, 6) customized support for young farmers by beginning type, 7) support for basic living expenses for young beginning farmers, 8) support for ensuring decent life quality of young farmers, 9) enhancement of national agriculture literacy, and 10) a regular young farmer survey.

Researchers: Ma Sangjin, Jeong Eunmi, Kim Kyungin Research period: 2017. 1. ~ 2017. 10. E-mail address: msj@krei.re.kr