Since the launch of Macra na Feirme’s Land Mobility Programme in 2014, the service has facilitated 282 arrangements resulting in approximately 25,000ac being farmed by younger trained farmers.
The service seeks to facilitate new collaborative arrangements between farmers such as farm partnerships, shared farming and long-term leasing has surpassed all expectations during its three-year pilot programme.
Announcing the findings of the pilot programme report, Macra na Feirme national president Sean Finan said that the service has expanded year-on-year and 2016 saw the service really establish itself facilitating 144 arrangements out of a total of 282 in the past three years.
“This initiative would not be possible without the financial support of the FBD Trust, the three pilot area co-ops Aurivo, Dairygold and Glanbia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.”
Breakdown of type of arrangements facilitated
45% – long-term lease.20% – partnership.18% – share farming. 14% – farm-to-farm.3% – 2017 was a transition year – arrangement yet to be determined. Land mobility continues to be a serious issue in Ireland, according to a 2012 Macra na Feirme Land Mobilty and Succession report a quarter of Irish farmers are over the age of 65 and almost half of all full-time farmers have no identified successor.
The programme aims to reduce that figure and combat the massive generational renewal issue Ireland is facing.
Client profile
45% are landowners who are looking to step back from the farm – they don’t want to sell but have no one to continue the farm.
26% are new and potential operators.29% are expanding operators.The Macra president added that the service is developing arrangements and opportunities which enable young farmers to access land more easily and take the next steps in their farming careers through economically sustainable collaborative arrangements.
Launching the report today, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said that the initiative has demonstrated real success in encouraging and facilitating collaborative arrangements between farmers.
“I am pleased that my Department has contributed the enabling policy environment to make these collaborations possible, as well as providing financial support for the Land Mobility Service and input to its Steering Committee.”
Where now for the service?
From here now on, the Macra president said that the association is planning for the future strategy for the programme along with trying to secure further backing and support from the Department.
“In Macra, we’ll be looking at that over the next few months and putting a plan in place. Hopefully, we’ll be able to roll out a national service and put arrangements in place which are beneficial to Irish farming.”
Since the launch of Macra na Feirme’s Land Mobility Programme in 2014, the service has facilitated 282 arrangements resulting in approximately 25,000ac being farmed by younger trained farmers.
The service seeks to facilitate new collaborative arrangements between farmers such as farm partnerships, shared farming and long-term leasing has surpassed all expectations during its three-year pilot programme.
Announcing the findings of the pilot programme report, Macra na Feirme national president Sean Finan said that the service has expanded year-on-year and 2016 saw the service really establish itself facilitating 144 arrangements out of a total of 282 in the past three years.
“This initiative would not be possible without the financial support of the FBD Trust, the three pilot area co-ops Aurivo, Dairygold and Glanbia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.”
Breakdown of type of arrangements facilitated
45% – long-term lease.20% – partnership.18% – share farming. 14% – farm-to-farm.3% – 2017 was a transition year – arrangement yet to be determined. Land mobility continues to be a serious issue in Ireland, according to a 2012 Macra na Feirme Land Mobilty and Succession report a quarter of Irish farmers are over the age of 65 and almost half of all full-time farmers have no identified successor.
The programme aims to reduce that figure and combat the massive generational renewal issue Ireland is facing.
Client profile
45% are landowners who are looking to step back from the farm – they don’t want to sell but have no one to continue the farm.
26% are new and potential operators.29% are expanding operators.The Macra president added that the service is developing arrangements and opportunities which enable young farmers to access land more easily and take the next steps in their farming careers through economically sustainable collaborative arrangements.
Launching the report today, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said that the initiative has demonstrated real success in encouraging and facilitating collaborative arrangements between farmers.
“I am pleased that my Department has contributed the enabling policy environment to make these collaborations possible, as well as providing financial support for the Land Mobility Service and input to its Steering Committee.”
Where now for the service?
From here now on, the Macra president said that the association is planning for the future strategy for the programme along with trying to secure further backing and support from the Department.
“In Macra, we’ll be looking at that over the next few months and putting a plan in place. Hopefully, we’ll be able to roll out a national service and put arrangements in place which are beneficial to Irish farming.”
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