Disinterest in diversification means missing chance to create rural jobs

Only 2% of farmers are interested in setting up a diversified farm-based business, according to a survey by Teagasc.

Most diversified Irish farm businesses are tourism- related. In the UK, 31% of farms operate a diversified business. However, the proportion of diversified farm businesses per 1,000 households is still higher in Ireland than in the UK.

The research were presented by David Meredith of Teagasc to the National Rural Development Conference in Enfield, Co Meath, yesterday. The conference, Maximising the Use of Rural Resources, was hosted by the National Rural Network and Teagasc and run in association with the Local Development Network, Macra na Feirme, and the Western Development Commission.