Sharp increase in demand for third-level agricultural courses

THERE has been a sharp rise in the number of Leaving Certificate students choosing third-level agricultural courses, the Central Applications Office revealed yesterday.

Demand for courses in agriculture is up 50% on last year, as more young people look to the sector for careers.

IFA chief economist, Rowena Dwyer said the merits of choosing farming as a long-term career option were becoming more apparent.

“There is a growing belief that agriculture is a valid and desirable career option, which provides the opportunity for controlling and developing your own career path,” she said.

Ms Dwyer said the increase in such numbers was very welcome for the sector as new entrants were vital for its future.

“The challenge will be to make a career in farming sustainable throughout economic cycles, and avoid a repeat of the decline in numbers entering agriculture that occurred over the last decade of economic growth,” she said.

Ms Dwyer said changing market conditions would always be a feature of food production. For the graduates of tomorrow to succeed, there had to be a supporting environment that could assist them in withstanding price fluctuations.

At a national level, policymakers must realise that Ireland is a small, open economy, hugely dependent on trade, and that economic recovery must be driven by the wealth-generating export sectors, such as agri-food.

“The key incentives and schemes to encourage young farmers must remain in place. The renewed interest evident in the surge in applications for agricultural courses must be matched by policy decisions that ensure successful careers will follow after education and training,” she said.

Fine Gael food spokesman, Andrew Doyle TD, earlier warned that proposals to close or reduce investment in Teagasc colleges must not put at risk the welcome 25% increase in students attending agricultural courses, which totalled 3,384 in 2007. He said this showed increased confidence among young people for a career in the farming sector for the first time in many years.

“Teagasc is the essential engine of our agricultural competitiveness. It would be a tragedy if the heart of our farm support service was cut out without a thought for the future,” he said.