More farm families seek to earn extra income as recession bites

MORE farm families are looking at innovative ways of securing extra income, as the recession continues to cause job losses in rural Ireland.

Paul McCarthy, Teagasc, explained that farm family income has been hit hard by the recession. Commodity prices have fallen to the point where even the best farms are struggling. Off-farm employment has declined by 30%. With the national unemployment rate now at almost 13%, there are many instances of people being back on the family farm, unemployed.

Several are now looking to set up alternative enterprises and new businesses to provide extra income and to build a more sustainable future.

Mr McCarthy was speaking ahead of next Monday’s announcement in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan, of the winners of the fourth JFC All Ireland Innovation Awards for Rural Business. Thirteen farmers and rural-based finalists from all over the country are in contention for the €40,000 prize fund. The overall winner will receive a prize of €15,000

Three of the finalists come from north of the border, two from Clare, two from Meath and one each from Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Mayo and Wexford.