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Desertification Indicator System for Mediterranean Europe


1. Definition

Name

FARMER'S AGE

Brief definition

Distribution of farmers in age groups

Unit of measure

% of farmers in each age group (<35, 35-55, >55)

2. Position within the logical framework DPSIR

Type of Indicator

Driving force

3. Target and political pertinence

Objective

Contribution to the definition and mapping of ESAs and assessing the desertification risk of an area

Importance with respect to desertification

Farmer's age becomes an important indicator since in dry farming areas there is no replacement of the retired farmers by their children, so land is abandoned or cultivated in a different way (which probably finally leads to abandonment). Abandoned lands suffer degradation processes quickly after being abandoned

International Conventions and agreements

The UNCCD emphasizes that combating desertification must be tackled within the general framework of actions to promote sustainable development.

Secondary objectives of the indicator

This indicator adds knowledge about the social structure of the rural areas. This information is important when it comes to developing specific programs of information, education or restoration.

4. Methodological description and basic definitions

Definitions and basic concepts

Farmer's age can be represented in intervals. Normally young farmers are considered to be those under 35 years. Farmers over 55 have a bigger tendency to stop their activities because they retire.

Benchmarks Indication of the values/ranges of value

There is no range of value defined, but a bigger percentage of farmers in the over 55 group represents a bigger risk of land abandonment

Methods of measurement

Statistics, or consultation with the cooperatives (recommended because their data are updated more often than public statistics)

Limits of the indicator

Sometimes the holder of the farm is not really the person who manages it (some retired farmers still work on the farm while the holder is another family member)

Linkages with other indicators

Farm ownership, Family size, Land abandoned

5. Evaluation of data needs and availability

Data required to calculate the indicator

Official statistics; Cooperative reports

Data sources

Necessary data are usually available and accessible and the cost/benefit ratio is reasonable.

Availability of data from national and international sources

Data can be obtained from various regional, national or international institutions involved in collecting and elaborating agricultural statistics and the cooperatives

6. Institutions that have participated in developing the indicator

Main institutions responsible

Universidad de Murcia, Spain

Other contributing organizations

Universities of Lisbon, Agricultural University of Athens, Basilicata, Amsterdam, Leeds

7. Additional information

Bibliography

 

Other references

 

Contacts Name and address

University of Murcia
F. López-Bermúdez
email: lopber@um.es, jorgegg@um.es