Macra’s 60th a milestone for organisation
A small group of young farmers came together in 1944 with the inspiration to set up Macra, to give young farmers a voice in policy making for their business. But they could not have envisaged the far reaching implications which their coming together achieved.
Macra as founded as a “social, cultural and educational” body for young farmers. All three were vitally important in those dark days of farming in Ireland, with low incomes, no mechanisation, limited markets, and a state highly dependent on agriculture, as World War Two drew to a close.
Macra brought a new sense of togetherness for young farmers. Lectures, farming debates, and film shows in cold parish halls proved a big attraction and sowed the seeds of a better way forward in farming. Through public speaking and debating, young farmers learned how to articulate their views and represent farming convincingly.
Above all, it was the first time farmers realised that a stronger unified voice could represent their views and achieve their demands. By the end of the 1940s, some of the older members were realising the advantage of an economically orientated voice for farmers, which led to the formation of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association in 1950. Five years later came another offshoot in the launch of the National Farmers Association, later to become the Irish Farmers Association, which to-day is a very strong voice in farming not alone in Ireland but within the EU.
Macra also gave birth to the National Farm Apprenticeship Scheme, and the National Farm Relief Service, as well as leading several other developments at national and regional level.
Farming has come a long way in every respect. Rural life has changed immensely for the better. Macra too has changed. There are fewer branches than in the past, and a smaller membership, including a higher proportion from outside of farming, which has helped to bridge the gap in rural life.
Macra still has an important role in rural Ireland. Congratulations on its 60th, and long may it continue to reign.
