Spain launches a major initiative that could reshape the balance of power in the agricultural sector. The government is ready to make around 17,000 state-owned farmland plots available to young farmers, women, and new professionals. This move aims not only to renew the rural workforce, but also to breathe new life into regions where the population is rapidly aging and declining.
The platform called ‘Tierra Joven’ (Young Land) will be a key tool for implementing this plan. It will bring together all information about available land plots, conditions for their transfer, financing opportunities, and legal specifics. Authorities promise the data will be as transparent and up-to-date as possible so that anyone interested can assess their chances and make an informed decision.
The platform and the law
The platform is set to launch in the coming months, expected to go live after the adoption of a special royal decree. Later, after the Family Farming law is passed, a dedicated office will be created to handle land transfer matters and advise new farmers. Similar institutions already operate in France, Germany, and Poland, and now Spain has decided not to lag behind its European neighbors.
The country’s agricultural sector is indeed facing a worrying trend: over 40% of farm owners are already over 65 years old. Without decisive action, many regions risk being left without people capable of working the fields and tending livestock. For this reason, authorities are pushing to increase the share of the budget allocated to generational renewal in agriculture to 10% as part of the new Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union.
Questions and doubts
However, the issue is not so straightforward. Experts have already voiced concerns about exactly how the status of an “agricultural plot” will be determined, where these lands will come from, and how they will be transferred to new owners. It is assumed this refers to land inherited by the state without a will or relatives, as well as land already managed by various ministries and government agencies.
The Tierra Joven platform could become a place where not only state, but also regional land banks are brought together. Autonomous communities and municipalities can choose to participate in the project, expanding the pool of available plots. It remains unclear, however, whether the land will be leased or sold. Many experts favor sales, believing this will encourage new owners to care for the land as their own, rather than treating it as a temporary resource.
Financial and legal aspects
Issues of financing and taxation also remain unresolved. The platform promises to publish all necessary information so that future farmers can assess the risks and benefits in advance. The Ministry of Agriculture has already launched a range of support programs: from subsidies and preferential loans to educational courses and guarantee schemes. All of this is meant to make it easier for those who decide to dedicate their lives to the land to get started.
Nevertheless, problems with the cadastre and obtaining property rights may delay the process. Spanish bureaucracy is known for its sluggishness, and processing land documents often turns into a real quest. Authorities have promised to simplify procedures, but it is still unclear how quickly this can be achieved in practice.
Prospects for the Regions
For many provinces, especially those suffering from population decline, this initiative could be a chance for revival. Young farmers and women who previously could not afford to buy or rent land will now have a real opportunity to start their own business. This will not only support the local economy but also help preserve the traditional way of life in rural Spain.
However, the success of the project will largely depend on how transparent and fair the selection of candidates is, as well as on the state’s willingness to address issues as they arise. For now, “Tierra Joven” looks like an ambitious but quite challenging project to implement—one that could change the rules of the game in the land market.
