Education vital if farming is to lead economic recovery

On-farm education plays a vital role in supporting Irish agri-food’s successes in export markets and in sustaining rural life in Ireland, according to Fr Harry Bohan.

A prominent social commentator, Fr Bohan was guest speaker at the launch of the newly refurbished Teagasc office in Ennis, Co Clare. He is director of pastoral planning in the diocese of Killaloe and parish priest in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare.

“The family farm and community are at the very core of rural life in Co Clare,” said Fr Bohan. “In recent years, there has been a recovery of our deep connection with the land. The need to balance global and local is paramount. We must balance large scale agribusiness with small producers. Sustainability is the new buzzword.”