More students take agri-science
But only 6.3% failed the higher level paper in the subject, and the rising number of students who opt for the subject is expected to translate into more young people going into agricultural careers.
The number studying agricultural science has risen from 2,972 in 2003 to 3,625 this year.
"It proves that young people still see agriculture as a viable career," said Macra na Feirme national president Colm Markey.
"Farming offers a varied and challenging work environment and is still a viable profession," he said.
He said a wide choice of nationally accredited third level courses in agricultural colleges offer students the opportunity to progress to degree level, opening up many career options in agri-business, agricultural services and rural development.
But it was worrying that only 13% of Irish farmers were under the age of 35, and the sector needs to attract new blood, said the Macra leader.
An agriculture-related degree was one of the targets of three out of four secondary school agricultural science students in a survey carried out by Agri Aware earlier this year.
Despite the uncertainty about the future in farming and the negativity that is often associated with agriculture, the students were positive about this sector as a career choice, according to Agri-Aware.
