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.