Macra has called for a new focus on farm succession, with the organisation's president James Healy making a presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday.
Healy said to create a positive view around farm succession, the following plan could be put in place:
Upon reaching 63, it becomes mandatory for a farmer to complete a farm succession plan. At the age of 65, farmers avail of a transition payment up to the age of 70. If a farmer wishes to continue to receive CAP supports beyond the age of 70, such a farmer would need to get involved in a collaborative arrangement. Digital divide
The digital divide between urban and rural areas is “like possessing the most advanced tractor money can buy and not having the diesel to fuel it,” according to Healy. In his presentation he called for increased urgency in the rollout of the rural broadband scheme, and for further research into the alternative ways of providing high-speed broadband to rural Ireland.
“This scheme is now as critical to the development of this country as the rural electrification scheme was to that generation,” Healy said. “The adoption of new technology and management systems by Irish farmers has traditionally been low.”
In a recent survey of Macra members, 79% believed grant aid for precision-farming technology should be included in the Rural Development Programme.
Risk management
Macra believes there is also a need for schemes under the Rural Development Programme to further target Knowledge Transfer (KT) and CPD, particularly in the areas of risk management. Healy proposes a voucher system which would allow all 139,100 farmers in Ireland to receive a €718 voucher for a KT event of their choice. This would allow all Irish farmers access to a KT measure “compared to the mere 20,000 farmers currently benefiting”.
Reaction
Members of the Orreachtas committee welcomed Macra’s contribution on opportunities in the agricultural sector and said it was very thought provoking, as a young farmer organization should be. However, a number of them made the contribution that Macra’s outlook is for a commercially driven farm and that certain types of farming could not support the level of investment in technology outlined.
Healy said that Macra had discussed this, particularly around the possibility of a suckler cow payment. But he said Macra was not supporting such a move.
“We would see proper funding of the BDGP scheme as far more beneficial,” he said. “It is about increasing the efficiency of your herd to improve the return from the animal you have.”
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'Succession is the elephant in the room' - ACA president
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Macra has called for a new focus on farm succession, with the organisation's president James Healy making a presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday.
Healy said to create a positive view around farm succession, the following plan could be put in place:
Upon reaching 63, it becomes mandatory for a farmer to complete a farm succession plan. At the age of 65, farmers avail of a transition payment up to the age of 70. If a farmer wishes to continue to receive CAP supports beyond the age of 70, such a farmer would need to get involved in a collaborative arrangement. Digital divide
The digital divide between urban and rural areas is “like possessing the most advanced tractor money can buy and not having the diesel to fuel it,” according to Healy. In his presentation he called for increased urgency in the rollout of the rural broadband scheme, and for further research into the alternative ways of providing high-speed broadband to rural Ireland.
“This scheme is now as critical to the development of this country as the rural electrification scheme was to that generation,” Healy said. “The adoption of new technology and management systems by Irish farmers has traditionally been low.”
In a recent survey of Macra members, 79% believed grant aid for precision-farming technology should be included in the Rural Development Programme.
Risk management
Macra believes there is also a need for schemes under the Rural Development Programme to further target Knowledge Transfer (KT) and CPD, particularly in the areas of risk management. Healy proposes a voucher system which would allow all 139,100 farmers in Ireland to receive a €718 voucher for a KT event of their choice. This would allow all Irish farmers access to a KT measure “compared to the mere 20,000 farmers currently benefiting”.
Reaction
Members of the Orreachtas committee welcomed Macra’s contribution on opportunities in the agricultural sector and said it was very thought provoking, as a young farmer organization should be. However, a number of them made the contribution that Macra’s outlook is for a commercially driven farm and that certain types of farming could not support the level of investment in technology outlined.
Healy said that Macra had discussed this, particularly around the possibility of a suckler cow payment. But he said Macra was not supporting such a move.
“We would see proper funding of the BDGP scheme as far more beneficial,” he said. “It is about increasing the efficiency of your herd to improve the return from the animal you have.”
Read more
Making sense of energy saving devices
'Succession is the elephant in the room' - ACA president
Listen: Sucklers vitally important for rural communities
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