As part of its statutory duty DAERA has published a series of equality indicators for the farming population in NI.
The research concentrates on the person identified as the main owner in the farm business (head of holding), so does not take account of the input from the wider farming family.
However, one particular flaw is that the main data used in the analysis is taken from an EU Farm Structure Survey in 2010, and the NI Census of Population in 2011.
In the intervening period, there has been some significant changes on farms, including a young farmer scheme that has seen around 2,700 young farmers come in as head of holding.
Despite that, the data again highlight the need for structural change within NI agriculture.
The average age of farmers identified in the report is 59, with only 8% of those heading up a farm business, under 40. More than one-third (36%) were aged over 65.
In total, 91% of the principal farmers in a business were male, while just over half (51%) of all farmers identified as Protestant and 42% as Catholic. Catholic farmers were much more likely to farm on very small farms, and more than three-quarters of Catholic farmers were engaged in cattle and sheep farming in Less Favoured Areas (77%).
People living in rural areas in NI are happier and have a higher life expectancy than their urban counterparts, according to figures published by DAERA this week.
The average life expectancy for males in rural NI is 80.3 years, compared to 77.4 years in urban areas. Females, on average, live to 83.8 years in rural areas and 81.5 years in urban areas.
The figures also show that people in rural areas are happier, but those living more than an hour from Belfast, on average, have less income.
Read more
Young Farmers’ Payment rate drops again
'Don't doubt yourself' says Young Farmer of the Year
As part of its statutory duty DAERA has published a series of equality indicators for the farming population in NI.
The research concentrates on the person identified as the main owner in the farm business (head of holding), so does not take account of the input from the wider farming family.
However, one particular flaw is that the main data used in the analysis is taken from an EU Farm Structure Survey in 2010, and the NI Census of Population in 2011.
In the intervening period, there has been some significant changes on farms, including a young farmer scheme that has seen around 2,700 young farmers come in as head of holding.
Despite that, the data again highlight the need for structural change within NI agriculture.
The average age of farmers identified in the report is 59, with only 8% of those heading up a farm business, under 40. More than one-third (36%) were aged over 65.
In total, 91% of the principal farmers in a business were male, while just over half (51%) of all farmers identified as Protestant and 42% as Catholic. Catholic farmers were much more likely to farm on very small farms, and more than three-quarters of Catholic farmers were engaged in cattle and sheep farming in Less Favoured Areas (77%).
People living in rural areas in NI are happier and have a higher life expectancy than their urban counterparts, according to figures published by DAERA this week.
The average life expectancy for males in rural NI is 80.3 years, compared to 77.4 years in urban areas. Females, on average, live to 83.8 years in rural areas and 81.5 years in urban areas.
The figures also show that people in rural areas are happier, but those living more than an hour from Belfast, on average, have less income.
Read more
Young Farmers’ Payment rate drops again
'Don't doubt yourself' says Young Farmer of the Year
SHARING OPTIONS