The program For the New Generation and the Business Succession Guide come at an important time. In 2025, 10 percent of all farms in the Netherlands will be led by someone under 40 years old - about 5,000 businesses. At the same time, 59 percent of agricultural entrepreneurs aged 55 and older have no successor ready. Many young entrepreneurs want to get started in the sector. They have a strong need for practical information about business succession.

Minister Wiersma, LVVN: Business succession is not just about numbers, but also about families, future choices, and love for the profession. With the additional investment in these new programs, we give young agricultural entrepreneurs perspective, help them take this step with confidence, and build a strong agricultural sector. This way, valuable knowledge and entrepreneurship are not lost.

Practical support and network

The Business Succession Guide makes knowledge from research and practice directly accessible. In addition to legal and financial themes, there is special attention to the social and emotional aspects of business succession. Agricultural entrepreneurs receive help not only with the financial side of business succession but also with family discussions and making choices for the future. By connecting with other agricultural entrepreneurs, advisors, and universities of applied sciences, a powerful network is created that supports successors and transferors in every phase of the process.

The Business Succession Guide and the program For the Next Generation offer:

  • Practical guidance on business succession, including attention to social and emotional aspects.
  • Access to advice, knowledge sharing, and a strong network.
  • Regional support directly on the farm, providing practical help where succession stalls.

In the coming four years, the program will be financially supported by the Ministry of LVVN. After that, it will stand on its own, supported by the sector itself. Today marks an important step towards a future-proof agriculture and horticulture, where young agricultural entrepreneurs can confidently take over the reins.

The online platform can be found here: www.bedrijfsovernamewijzer.nl.