Young farmers are almost an endangered species – that's according to Macra, an organisation that represents young people in rural Ireland.
In 2020, farm holders under 35-years-old accounted for 6.9% of farmers, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.
However, by 2023, this number had dropped to 4.3%, a decrease of 2.3%.
National president of Macra Josephine O’Neill told The Hard Shoulder that there has been very little action to support young farmers, and as a result, the industry is in a crisis.
“There’s a lot of challenges that are experienced by young farmers to enter into farming,” she said.
“Top of the list is succession and ensuring that there’s a conversation there between an older farmer and a younger farmer to ensure that there’s a transition to allow the younger farmer an opportunity to farm.
“But there’s other challenges that they experience as well, like access to land and access to finance are extremely difficult for younger farmers who are entering into farming.
“Especially when they’re competing with older farmers.”
Ms O’Neill said that high start-up costs also contribute to this issue.
Farmer controls drone. Image: Scharfsinn / Alamy. 26 June 2022Limerick dairy farmer Louise Crowley said that “we need a succession scheme that benefits both sides”.
“It’s not really about just removing someone out of a farm and putting in a new person,” she said.
“The whole point of succession is you bring someone in; they farm with the current generation, they learn how they’re doing things.
“The younger person might bring a new lease of life into a farm.”
According to Ms Crowley, if a farmer doesn't have children of their own, they can seek advice from the Land Mobility Service, or enquire as to whether one of their neighbours might have an interest in taking over their farm.
Main image: Young farmer in fields. Image: MORISSE Périg / Alamy. 10 April 2015
