A young farmer goes through Ramūnas Karbauskis' "roof"

A few days ago, Ramūnas Karbauskis, owner of „Agrokoncerno“, shared a post on „Facebook“ about the „Roof Festival“ held in the Radviliskis district at the newly built dairy cow complex. In the post, Mr Karbauskis said that once the complex is built, it will produce around 140 tonnes of milk every day, with an annual production of over 51,000 tonnes“. This will reduce import dependency and significantly increase the amount of raw milk produced in Lithuania," Karbauskis said.

In his entry, Karbauskis said that „the younger generation of farmers is not enthusiastic about this rather difficult area of the agricultural sector, and that livestock farms, not only in Lithuania, but also around the world, are growing rapidly“. Lithuania imports about 30% of its raw milk from neighbouring countries such as Latvia, Estonia and Poland," said the founder of „Agrokoncerno“.

Ignas Saldys, a young farmer, reacted to the post by criticising Karbauskas.

„Ramūnas Karbauskis says that young farmers do not want to engage in dairy farming and animal husbandry in general. This is a complete inversion of the real picture of the agricultural sector from the perspective of a young farmer. He tries to give the impression that because of the unwillingness of young farmers to engage in animal husbandry, the poor big ones are forced to get even bigger and build these mega farms," Saldys said.

The young farmer said that it was "disappointing to see the biggest landowner in Lithuania speaking out when he himself, through a series of subsidiaries, bypasses the 500 ha acquisition limit set in the law on the acquisition of agricultural land".

„Thus preventing hundreds of young farmers from taking up farming. I am talking about serious, technologically advanced and profitable farms, not just amateur farms of a few hectares“, – says I. Saldys.

Earlier this year, he spoke to the President of the European Young Farmers' Union (CEJA), who highlighted three common issues for the EU-wide young farming community: access to farmland, access to finance and access to knowledge.

„There was no question of anyone lacking the will to farm. There is simply no opportunity. Young Lithuanian farmers are willing and able to work hard and develop their farms. Unfortunately, because of the consolidation of „Agrokoncerno“ and other similar formations, there is simply no chance for them to even start doing this. There is simply no chance for a young farmer to buy land when he/she is starting out," said I. Saldys.

He adds that Lithuania does not lack milk. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Lithuania's milk supply is around 130%.  "Those who are not enjoying this activity" somehow manage to meet and exceed the demand of the whole country“, concludes the young farmer I. Saldys.