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Over 90% of young farmers are in favour of completing agricultural education in order to receive a direct payment.
The surveys were carried out at the Macra na Feirme/Irish Farmers Journal CAP 2020 consultations, which have been held around the country in recent weeks.
“It’s clear from them that young farmers place a huge importance and value on receiving agricultural education prior to commencing their careers in farming,” said Macra na Feirme president Sean Finan.
“The value of agricultural education has been questioned recently. We as an organisation and our young farmer membership will not tolerate any attacks or attempts to undermine the professionalism of farming by devaluing agricultural education,” he added.
Not availing of new low-cost loans
He also added that farmers young and old are the fulcrum of a secure food supply and require constant upskilling to ensure they can deliver safe quality food to satisfy the needs of the consumer.
At the Kilkenny discussion, a poll of young farmers also found that 60% of young farmers said they would not be availing of the new low-cost loans.
Over 90% of the young farmers said there should be grant aid available for investment in water infrastructure, roadways, reseeding, fencing and application of capital fertilisers such as phosphorus, potassium and lime in any future TAMS-style arrangement.
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