Young Irish farmers: ‘We’re playing the drum and nobody’s listening’

'The Government needs to deliver something for young people, give them supports to actually stay in farming, because we all want to stay in rural Ireland but we have no choice but to leave'

Macra president Elaine Houlihan. The organisation has said rural youth out-migration and the ageing farmer profile are key issues facing rural areas which need to be urgently addressed. Picture: Michael Donnelly

Succession appears to be a “taboo” topic, Macra president Elaine Houlihan believes, and this is much to the farming sector’s detriment.

Measures supporting succession need to be prioritised in Budget 2025, Ms Houlihan is urging Government.