Business and technical skills ‘vital’
The authority believes these skills will be required by all farmers if they are to survive and prosper in the demanding environment of European agriculture.
However, it recognises that attending training courses is demanding especially for people with off-farm jobs.
Teagasc director of training and development Donal Carey, speaking at the presentation of the Student of the Year Awards in Dublin, said it was important to acknowledge that part-time farmers require the same level of expertise, as their full-time colleagues, to ensure profitability.
“Part-time farmers are now in the majority and will continue to contribute significantly to total agricultural output in the years ahead,” he said.
Mr Carey said Teagasc was very conscious of the different training needs of farmers and is reviewing its training programmes with a view to further improving delivery methods and course content.
“All stakeholders are being facilitated in the review process and their views will be reflected in the design of future training courses.
Our objective is to provide courses that meet the skills needs of full-time and part-time farmers. Methods of delivery will be flexible to facilitate attendance of those in full time off-farm employment.”
Mr Carey urged farm organisations and farm leaders to continue to promote and encourage farmers to attend training courses.
“Training is the key to acquiring the expertise to farm successfully and not only as a means of qualifying for grant aids and schemes,” he said.
