A LOWER percentage of jobs are being lost in the agri-food sector compared with other industries, according to a new report.

THE number of points now needed to study agriculture at degree level shows the sector is continuing to rise as a career option for students, Agri Aware claimed yesterday.

A RISING interest in agricultural science was reflected in the Leaving Certificate examination results released yesterday.

THE nation’s agri-food sector is being encouraged to stand up and be counted among Irish consumers and influential policymakers.

PRIMARY school children who planted seeds in their classrooms last February yesterday enjoyed the fruits of their labour.

The farm information group Agri Aware says it intends to operate its 'incredible edibles' scheme again next year.

PRIMARY school children countrywide began to harvest crops of Irish fruit and vegetables yesterday in the run-up to the final of Agri Aware’s Incredible Edibles growing challenge.

THE appointment of Pat Smith as general secretary and chief executive of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) was ratified at a special meeting of its executive council in Dublin yesterday.

THE drinks industry has reacted angrily to a report that claims people are spending more on alcohol than they do on food.

MOST of the agricultural science students who completed the Leaving Certificate plan to work or live in rural Ireland within the next 10 years, the findings of a survey have revealed.

CONSUMERS spent more than €7 million on new potatoes last year — and they are expected to fork out even more this season.

ALMOST 2,000 schools have registered for Agri Aware’s Meet the Spuds potato-growing challenge to celebrate the United Nations designated International Year of the Potato.

VISITORS to the City Farm in Dublin Zoo are in for a treat because as well as lions, tigers and chimps, they can see almost 50 Irish farm animals which are now among the inhabitants.

FOOD sourced locally proved a successful recipe for a trio of Macroom students in a national healthy eating competition.

AGRI Aware is seeking the appointment of a dedicated agricultural science examination and assessment commissioner.

FIVE new members have taken their seats on the board of Agri Aware, the farming and food educational body set up in 1996 to highlight the importance of agriculture.

Meet the Spuds is an excellent opportunity for teachers to encourage healthy eating among their pupils and educate them about Irish farming in a practical and hands-on manner. Agri-Aware chairman, Mairead Lavery and IFA president Padraig Walsh are very excited about the project.

MORE than 220,000 schoolchildren are to be offered 60 tonnes of compost, two tonnes of seed potatoes, 8,000 growing bags and wall charts for “super tuber-day”.

THE farming and food educational body Agri Aware is challenging transition year students nationwide to investigate the importance of agribusiness in their local communities.

IRISH householders are spending less on food than ever before, it was revealed yesterday.

LEAVING Certificate students were urged yesterday to consider one of the many courses on offer in third-level education which would provide them with the prospects of an exciting and lifelong career in the farming and agri-food industry.

LEAVING Certificate students were urged yesterday to consider one of the many courses on offer in third-level education which would provide them with the prospects of an exciting and lifelong career in the farming and agri-food industry.

AGRI Aware, the farming and food education body, yesterday donated a three-year-old pedigree Friesian milking cow to Dublin Zoo.

WHILE the agricultural sector is worth €17 billion to the Irish economy, many people are unaware of its importance locally.

AT a time when we’re bombarded with statistics about over-weight and unhealthy teenagers, one group of school-goers are educating their peers about the importance of healthy eating, food miles and organic produce.

THE Irish farming and food industry is delivering value for money this Christmas by producing quality food.

SECONDARY school students are looking to farmers for inspiration in the battle to win a place on a cookery course in celebrity chef Neven Maguire’s award-winning premises.

FOUR of the seven Guild of Agricultural Journalists awards, which Health Minister Mary Harney presented at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, were won by Irish Farmers Journal contributors.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern went to the wire on Plot 20 at the World Ploughing Championships in Grangeford, Tullow, Co Carlow, yesterday.

THE farming and food educational body, Agri Aware, has launched an information campaign about the benefits of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for consumers.

AGRI AWARE announced yesterday that Jim Power, Friends First group chief economist has been appointed to its board of directors. Mr Power writes a regular column for the Irish Examiner.

A record 45,000 primary pupils from all over the country have taken part in the 2006 Springtime on the Farm colouring and art competitions run by Agri Aware and sponsored by FBD Trust.