Farmers answer rural change with innovative ideas

MANY farmers are developing innovative business ideas as they embrace the rapid changes that are taking place in the rural economy.

This was made clear at the Teagasc national rural development conference in Galway, which discussed the twin effects of an increasing rural population and a decreasing percentage of people involved in agriculture.

Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Cuív told delegates the number of full-time farmers is projected to drop to 10,000. Some 95,000 farmers will be part-time.

He said the role of part-time farming must be recognised if as many people as possible are to be kept in agriculture. A wide range of opportunities is needed if rural Ireland is to develop.

These opportunities must be in terms of jobs and services, including manufacturing and agriculture-related activities. The potential of all the resources of rural Ireland must be unlocked in a sustainable way, he said.

Teagasc rural business specialist Paul McCarthy said farmers as entrepreneurs have many strengths. They have good business acumen and are multi-skilled in areas from animal husbandry and building to administration.

"Many farmers have also developed new skills from working off-farm. They generally have valuable assets, low borrowings and access to capital. They think long-term and about the impact on their family," he said.

However, Mr McCarthy said farmers have many challenges to overcome in becoming successful entrepreneurs.