2 days ago
Prof calls for universal basic income that farmers 'can depend on'
Technologcal University Dublin's (TUD) lecturer in enterprise and sustainability, Dr. Ciaran O'Carroll believes that farmers should receive a universal basic income "that they can depend on".
Speaking to Agriland about rising grocery prices, and the impact that it has on the farming community, Dr. O'Carroll said that wildfires and drought across Europe are having a "major impact" on crop yields.
He said: "We've moved out of this kind of period of relative stability for farming and agriculture in a global context, and we're moving into a new phase whereby crop yields are going to be really negatively impacted year-on-year because this is the new normal.
"Food prices are going to escalate. As a society we have to think about how we make sure the most vulnerable in our society are getting food and they're getting nutritious food, this is very important for Ireland."
"As food prices keep going up, we're going to have to really think about how we make sure children, and and parents, and everyone in our society has access to nutritious food, as a country that imports 80% of our calories," Dr. O'Carroll added.
The lecturer also believes that not enough is being done at a legislative level to enhance food security to tackle rising grocery prices.
"The number one thing that we could be doing to protect our food, is a rapid and equitable phase out of fossil fuels, because it is the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere that it's having such a negative impact on crop yields. If your farm is on fire due to the effects of man-made climate change, then your crop yields are done," Dr. O'Carroll said.
"The problem is we need to actually think, what is food going to be like in five or 10 years, and how do we plan for that, because we're obviously not doing it. 40% of Irish parents are right now skipping meals so their children have enough to eat."
Dr. O'Carroll believes that, under the current system, the primary producers of food are unlikely to see profits from that their products.
He said: "In a capitalist society where retailers need to make more profit next year than they did this year, right. So if prices are going up, they're going to have to just keep increasing prices. To keep their annual profits going right and the farmer gets squeezed and we see how much.
"We need to be thinking about a different model for how we make sure farmers are adequately compensated for the fantastic work that they do. I mean, personally, I'm a big fan of universal basic income."
"Every farmer should have, just like every person, an income that they can depend on. That means they can have a dignified life with all. With all the requirements of shelter, housing, energy, food," Dr. O'Carroll added.
