Call to acknowledge rising demand for agriculture courses in budget

THE dramatic increase in demand for agricultural education courses should not be ignored by the Government in the budget, according to the president of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA), Dr Frank O’Mara.

Dr O’Mara said the number of young people engaging in agricultural education is now at its highest level in more than two decades.

Demand for courses in agricultural colleges increased by a further 20% this year on top of a 50% increase in the previous two years.

Dr O’Mara said the rise of over 70% in enrolments in agricultural college courses since 2006 is in stark contrast to the 35% fall in demand for construction-related courses.

The rise in demand for agricultural education is also reflected in the university sector.

The points requirement for the agricultural science degree course in UCD has increased by over 25% since 2007. At 395, it is now ahead of that for general science.

In Waterford Institute of Technology, the points needed for agricultural science increased by a third this year.

Mr O’Mara said it is clear young people see a bright future in the agri-food sector as other more volatile sectors face decline.

“It is vital that this confidence is not shattered by budgetary decisions that would undermine the potential of our most important indigenous industry to make a maximum contribution to economic recovery,” he said.