It is a well-known fact that farming is not something that the younger generations are interested in and the number of farmers has decreased over the last few decades.

Gozo could be the exception, however, with information tabled by agriculture minister Anton Refalo showing that there are now 500 more farmers in Gozo than there were in 2013.

Replying to a parliamentary question by PN MP Chris Said, Refalo said there were 1,502 registered farmers in Gozo at the beginning of 2013. Today, there are 2,023 registered farmers.

Refalo explained that no information kept on whether farmers are full-time or part-time, since registration is linked to agriculture activity and management of the land.

Replying to another part of the question, Refalo said there are no official records on the number of registered fishermen but there is a register of fishing vessels.

In 2013, there were 82 full-time and 132 part-time fishing vessels. Currently, there are 66 full-time and 104 part-time fishing vessels.

Refalo explained that in order to boost the agricultural sector, the government has drawn up a national agricultural policy that will give direction to the sector for the coming years.