The Land Mobility Service is to expand its services countrywide and start charging farmers for its services.

The facility aims to bring together young people wishing to expand in farming and landowners who wish to step back from day-to-day farm work while retaining ownership of their land.

The Macra initiative has now completed two years of a three-year pilot programme. It has 360 clients and has put in place 138 collaborative arrangements.

Facilitator

To allow it operate countrywide it has now taken on a second facilitator – barrister and former Macra president Kieran O’Dowd – with the help of funding from the Department of Agriculture.

The level of fees will be outlined to clients at initial consultation meetings.

Land arrangements have been facilitated in 20 counties in all (see map). However, three-quarters of the arrangements were reached in the catchments of the dairy co-ops Aurivo, Dairygold and Glanbia, who provided financial and other support. This, says the organsiation, shows the importance of on the ground support.

Listen below to the Land Mobility's service manager, Austin Finn, speak with Irish Farmers Journal digital editor Thomas Hubert

Popular

The most popular arrangement is a long-term lease, reflecting the income tax reliefs now in place for landowners.

However, other arrangements such as partnerships and share-farming have also been set up. The service was started with core funding from FBD Trust.