Generational renewal in French agriculture: Factors and outcomes of misaligned policies on farmers’ experience

For over two decades, Western agriculture has faced a persistent generational renewal crisis. The literature has shown the multifactorial dimensions of the phenomenon, but policy concerns are understudied. This study investigates the renewal crisis in France, focusing on the misalignment between public policies and the lived experiences of incoming and outgoing farmers. The research responds to concerns about an aging farming population, declining numbers of new entrants, and the increasing diversity among aspiring farmers. Using qualitative interviews with a broad range of farmers and support actors in the SUD-PACA region, the study maps trajectories of farm entry and transfer, as well as the challenges faced in navigating administrative and professional expectations. Results reveal that support policies - shaped by a traditional, productivist model - fail to accommodate “non-standard” profiles such as older entrants, women, and those without a farming background. Aspiring farmers encounter restrictive criteria, bureaucratic complexity, and limited access to land or financial assistance, prompting them to employ “bricolage” strategies and navigate prolonged, uncertain pathways. Retiring farmers similarly face administrative and psychosocial hurdles, with traditional professional identities often delaying or complicating farm transfers. The study concludes that the gap between policy intentions and real-world agricultural practices deepens inequalities and leads to widespread exclusion from available support. To ensure effective generational renewal, the authors recommend: diversifying eligibility criteria, increasing flexibility, and fostering tailored, long-term support structures sensitive to the diversity of farmers and trajectories. Recognition of alternative agricultural models and inclusive governance are essential to address national and international challenges of generational renewal in agriculture.