Since milk quotas were introduced in the 1980s, it became more challenging for a whole generation of potential Irish farmers to enter the dairy sector and grow a business. With that chapter of stagnation now firmly behind us, a whole new series of challenges is emerging, with the biggest challenge being to re-establish a recognised career path into agriculture for the younger generations of today and for future generations.

Because of the reduced number of young people entering the sector, the age profile of farmers has steadily climbed. The statistics are alarming, with just 5.7% of farmers under 35 years of age and a higher percentage over 80 years of age. The mean age of Irish farmers is 59, and it’s getting closer and closer to the generally accepted retirement age of 65.

New blood

There has been one obvious oversight in the midst of all this bureaucratic pen pushing

We know that new blood is needed to maintain existing levels of productivity and to expand. From analysing the statistics, it’s clear that the dairy, beef and sheep sectors are failing to attract this new blood, which is a worrying trend.

With Food Harvest 2020 targets set for the various sectors, and many well on the way to achieving these targets, there has been one obvious oversight in the midst of all this bureaucratic pen pushing – people. Who is going to do all this extra work? We already know that 48% of farmers have no identified successor. There is already evidence emerging of a shortage of qualified farm managers and skilled labour to work on farms. Those pursuing third level agricultural education are being lured into industry, with many more choosing to travel and farm oversees.

Mindset

A shift in mindset is needed if the next generation of Irish farmers are to pursue farming as a full-time career. Prior to leaving for New Zealand, I had rarely considered a career in farming and regular time off as two things that would ever go hand in hand. Having been fortunate enough to grow up on a dairy farm, and be surrounded by many hardworking, honest Irish farmers, I subconsciously adopted the view that farming should be a 365-day-a-year job, with little time off, and for small financial reward – thankfully recent experiences have altered that view.

Let us face the stark reality of the situation – many of these genuine young farmers were prepared to enter the sector anyway

Policymakers have in recent years taken a very short-term view to the future of Irish agriculture. Grant aid, young farmer top-ups, tax breaks are of course a welcome relief to the many young farmers who have recently entered the sector, and badly needed to get new entrants off the ground.

But let us face the stark reality of the situation – many of these genuine young farmers were prepared to enter the sector anyway, while many more have completed agricultural education just to take advantage of the hand-outs while they are going, without any intention of pursuing a full time career in agriculture.

Easy money

The Department has a lot to answer for in this regard. With a surge in demand for Teagasc green cert courses directly correlating to announcements of new schemes and top-ups, it would seem that a certain proportion of those entering agricultural education are doing so to take advantage of some "easy money" rather than meaningfully contributing to the growth and development of our sector.

On the other hand for example, take the forgotten farmers group, who have been left out in the cold as they make genuine efforts to carve out farming careers, with the powers that be appearing to more preoccupied with achieving paper targets than actually investing resources where they are needed. Actions like these are far from helping the situation of encouraging genuinely interested young entrants into the sector when they see how past entrants have been treated.

Inefficient practice is promoted because these farms don’t need to rely on the market or their productivity to make a living

Profitability is an essential aspect of any business, which more emphasis needs to be placed on. The majority of farms across the EU remain viable only due to CAP supports, which are directly linked to the amount of land farmed in the early part of the last decade. Inefficient practice is promoted because these farms don’t need to rely on the market or their productivity to make a living, while the younger generation has limited opportunity to enter this system of farming. The current structures of CAP limit farmers as much as it limits new entrants. How is this system conducive to creating opportunities for the future of agriculture?

Precision technology

Only recently, I read an article on some trial work being carried out in Harper Adams University in the UK. The trial, "Hands Free Hectare", is aiming to produce cereals through the use of precision technology and robots – with no need for any human entering the field at any stage. While these advances show the incredible speed technology is developing at, is it also not a worrying sign for the future of farming with opportunities for the next generation being replaced by technology that only the wealthiest will be able to afford?

Encouraging the schoolgoers of today into farming is one positive step that can be taken

Instead of depending on these short-term, financial incentives to sustain our sector, we should be taking a more proactive approach at an earlier stage. Encouraging the schoolgoers of today into farming is one positive step that can be taken, a roadshow to promote the sector and attend careers events for students is one option which could provide a platform for the future farmers and skilled workers to become aware and informed of both the options and opportunities that are out there.

Time to tell the positive stories

Inspiring people from a young age is without a doubt the most proactive step we can take. Let our farmers become our role models, it's time to tell the positive, rewarding stories of being involved in farming. The school children and teenagers of today need to be enlightened as to why pursuing a career in agriculture has the potential to take them places, along with being given the opportunities of career progression routes to setting them on their way.

Creating defined progression routes for those young people that don’t have a farm of their own, while encouraging collaboration and innovative farming structures between those more established, is the way in which we can sustain a vibrant, progressive sector with a healthy mix of youth and experience.

Tax incentives and grant aid to encourage collaboration with young trained farmers is one option that has the potential to change an established mindset

It is essential that these structures are developed and established to allow a career path comparable to other sectors be established. Tax incentives and grant aid to encourage collaboration with young trained farmers is one option that has the potential to change an established mindset while allowing new ideas and enthusiasm to enter and grow in our sector.

Banking

The crux of land ownership is unfortunately another hindrance of those contemplating a career in farming. As Kevin Moran highlighting in his recent Nuffield scholarship report, the challenges that a landless farmer faces in getting established, a need for innovative banking options is wanted now more than ever. As things currently stand, if you don't own land, the odds of getting a bank loan approved are stacked against you because of a lack of security.

Livestock as a form of security is an innovative solution which is one option banks could explore for young farmers

Livestock as a form of security is an innovative solution which is one option banks could explore for young farmers. This has served the New Zealand farmers well on their journey of growth. There's no reason it can't become an option In Ireland.

Another option is to offer tax incentives to people willing to invest in farming projects. Schemes like the Business Expansion Scheme and Film Relief have worked well for other sectors and it could play a role in providing capital to viable projects that may not have sufficient collateral for a bank loan.

Progression

Farming is a journey, not a destination

Although there are many challenges facing farmers in Ireland and across the world, it's important to remember that without these challenges it wouldn't be the fulfilling and rewarding career that it is for so many. Farming is a journey, not a destination. It has both plenty of ups and downs, but for anyone involved, there's nothing in the world they would rather do. We need to celebrate the wins, and learn from the losses while always driving on and progressing as positively as we can.

To read more from Michael Tobin click here.