Farmers face crisis as skilled worker shortage threatens food production

Farmers are reporting a severe shortage of skilled workers—herdsmen, milkmaids, machinery operators, veterinarians, agronomists, and livestock specialists—directly linked to low living standards and inadequate wages, a lawmaker noted.

According to the deputy, the situation is further exacerbated by widespread violations of labor laws.

A significant number of agricultural workers are left without pension contributions, he stressed—either due to employers failing to meet their obligations or weak regulatory oversight.

The lawmaker also warned that the labor shortage poses a direct threat to the sustainable development of the agribusiness sector and productivity growth.

Without a comprehensive solution to the workforce crisis, achieving full food self-sufficiency by 2028 will be impossible, he cautioned.

Among the party's proposed measures are additional payments and subsidies to raise wages in agriculture, reduced income tax rates for farmers, and expanded targeted grants and scholarships for training specialists.

Stable production and high-quality goods are the foundation of public well-being, the deputy concluded. Without people, the industry simply cannot function.