The results of a recent survey by the Bank of Montreal made me scratch my head a bit.
BMO reported that 66 percent of Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents believe the migration of young people from rural to urban areas has a negative effect on family farms. The results were, interestingly, similar for urban and rural people, and not too different across Canada.
First of all, there’s a bit of a “duh” factor that the majority of prairie people think youth moving from the farm is a bad thing. No kidding. Why are we even asking that question?
Read Also
Agriculture needs to prepare for government spending cuts
As government makes necessary cuts to spending, what can be reduced or restructured in the budgets for agriculture?
My second reaction was, what’s up with the other 34 percent? Do they think that a hollowing out of rural Western Canada could be a good thing?
Or do they think there is something else going on? For example, do they think there are enough young people remaining on or returning to the farm, considering that rural Canada is becoming increasingly populated by bigger and therefore fewer farms?
I suppose it depends on the question posed to the 1,011 people surveyed (confidence factor plus or minus 3.1 percent, 19 times out of 20).
But really, if you specifically ask, “will the migration of young people to urban areas negatively affect the family farm,” who would answer no?
The majority of respondents (58 to 62 percent) also noted other negative effects of youth migration, including the lack of transferred knowledge to the next generation, the paucity of labour and effects on the economy, the rural way of life and the agriculture sector.
While these numbers seem strangely low to me, they are in the majority range. Ron Bonnett, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, noted that the survey showed Canadians recognize the importance of the agriculture sector.
“Broad public support is what’s needed to secure the future of our farms and food,” he said.
You also need the support of the youth, who are theoretically leaving the farm in droves. However, there seems to be more youth interest in farming now than there was a decade ago, as agriculture becomes increasingly important — and profitable — with the massive population growth.
If you are among those who despair over youth leaving the land, try this video on YouTube. It might cheer you up, even if it is American. Check it out at bit.ly/On3oR6.
