Untapped resource: Just 0.4% of farmers take direct sales route

ON-FARM food production is a virtually untapped resource in Ireland, with just 0.4% of farmers taking the direct sales route, said one industry expert.

Teagasc researcher Dr Áine Macken-Walsh said: “Studies show that despite the economic returns from adding value to the primary product, many Irish farmers are not processing their farm produce or selling directly. From a total of approximately 128,000 Irish farms, figures show that just 0.4% are engaged in food processing.”

Dr Macken-Walsh told those attending the Taste Council summer school in Macreddin, Co Wicklow, that this commercial route represents an opportunity for Irish farmers.

She said Ireland’s artisan and speciality food sector is experiencing continued growth with increased marketing of these foods in local food markets and through direct sales to restaurants and hotels.

The Teagasc researcher said Irish farmers should consider following the Middle Agriculture model. This US model identifies food produced by small and mid-sized farms as having advantages in the marketplace.

Dr Macken-Walsh said: “The Middle Agriculture model proposes that a farmer-owned, farmer-run co-operative facilitates the necessary scale of product and buys in the necessary corporate services to bring their products successfully to market.”