Agricultural college numbers down

THE numbers of sons and daughters of sizeable farmers who are attending agricultural colleges has declined in recent years, the Teagasc national dairy conference was told in Limerick yesterday.

Teagasc training and development directorate assistant director Paddy Browne said many farmers, along with career guidance teachers, are discouraging their children from planning a full-time career in farming.

However, the decline in those pursuing full-time courses in college has been counter-balanced by an increase in the numbers of part-time farmers attending the part-time option at local level.