Teagasc optimistic that ambitious growth targets can be achieved

NATIONAL agri-food training and research body Teagasc is optimistic that Ireland is on track to achieve the ambitious growth targets over the next decade.

Teagasc chairman, Dr Noel Cawley, said: “Ambitious targets to increase the output and value from the agriculture and food sectors have been identified in the Food Harvest 2020 report and Teagasc, through its research, education and advisory activities, are working with farmers and those in the industry to achieve those challenging targets.”

Demand for Teagasc-run agriculture and horticulture courses also continues to grow. Against the backdrop of the ongoing government moratorium on new staff recruitment, Teagasc has gone a long way towards meeting the surge in demand.

In the 2010/11 academic year there were 1,673 new enrolments onto Teagasc-run courses bringing the total number of students to 3,256.

Total number of students participating in college courses now amounts to 2,426.

When local Advanced Certificate in agriculture (ACA) courses are taken into account there are a total of 3,540 students participating in Teagasc-run courses, in the current academic year.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said: “It is positive to see that prices are doing well and that the agri-food industry is positioning itself to be a key economic driver for the future.

“During this difficult economic period the Government recognises the opportunities in this area and is focused on achieving the targets set in Food Harvest 2020.”

The number of people working in Teagasc has reduced by 280 between 2008 and 2010.

The Employment Control Framework (ECF) set by the Government requires staff numbers to reduce by a further 240 by 2014.

To achieve this, a voluntary redundancy and a voluntary early retirement scheme (VR/VER) were offered to support staff.

Applications closed on November 1, with 120 people (85 full-time equivalents) applying. They now have a month ‘cooling off period’ before they confirm their decision.

Meanwhile, the Teagasc annual report also contained details of a surge in production across almost all sectors of farming. These gains were across Teagasc’s four main areas of activity: food programme; animal and grassland programme; crops, environment and land use programme; and rural economy and development programme.

Teagasc director, Professor Gerry Boyle, said: “With the abolition of milk quotas approaching, there will be opportunities emerging for young Irish farmers to expand and enter milk production.

“Low-cost grass based milk production systems provide Irish farmers with a comparative advantage that could be exploited in a quota free environment,” he added.