The report confirms last month's Irish Farmers Journal analysis of progress on the headline objectives of 85% growth in exports and 65% growth in the value of primary production between 2012 and 2025.

The update, looking back on the year 2017, shows that 15.9% growth was achieved in exports and 8.9% in primary production.

Of the 375 actions due to start by this year 46 have been achieved, 231 are ongoing with substantial action undertaken, 94 have commenced and four are at the commencement stage.

Among the actions regarded as completed achievements, the report lists the enrolment of 29,700 farmers in the BDGP scheme and the target on uptake of GLAS being reached ahead of schedule.

Last year's milestones include the opening of the meat technology centre and the new pig research unit at Teagasc Moorepark.

Origin Green adoption by farmers

The Co Cork campus remains top of the list for priorities this year, as Teagasc and the dairy industry are due to complete a €10m upgrade of the Moorepark Technolgy Limited pilot plant.

Responding to Brexit uncertainty is another item at the top of the agenda.

Farmers can expect more pressure to join quality assurance schemes, as one of the actions scheduled for the coming months is to "develop a messaging programme to communicate the benefits of Origin Green membership to farmer stakeholders to ensure greater adoption and engagement with the programme".

On the research side, Teagasc, other scientific bodies and industry are set to develop the use of precision technologies to pasture-based farming systems.

While the agri-food sector has taken important steps to break the link between emissions intensity and food production, more needs to be done

Minister Creed highlighted progress in market access to countries such as China and Qatar to progress towards Food Wise targets, but mentioned challenges also.

"Ireland is facing a critical challenge in terms of meeting the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and other climate-related obligations. While the agri-food sector has taken important steps to break the link between emissions intensity and food production, more needs to be done," he wrote in the report.

"The challenges posed by Brexit makes the actions proposed in Food Wise 2025 all the more relevant, including those in relation to competitiveness, innovation and market diversification," he added.

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