The Dealer got an insight into the agricultural thinking of the urban literati at the Kilkenomics Festival, which brilliantly put economists and comedians on stage together last weekend in Kilkenny.

During the finale show titled Reasons to be Cheerful, a lone farmer in the audience asked the panel for their thoughts on the future of agriculture.

Economist and broadcaster David McWilliams said the Dutch and Danish intensive, export-focused model was the way forward for the industry.

“If the Dutch lived in Ireland they’d feed the world, but if the Irish lived in Holland, we’d drown,” he joked, suggesting we’re not there yet.

Peter Antonioni from University College London recommended planting trees.

Hosting the show, comedian Des Bishop offered an easier option: “Write ‘organic’ on everything you already produce and everyone in this room will pay three times the price for it,” he said.