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Macra claims young farmers almost an 'endangered species'
Young farmers are becoming an 'endangered species', the newly elected president of Macra has warned.
Josephine O'Neill, who grew up on a farm but is now a teacher, said that fewer than 6% of those employed on Irish farms are under the age of 35.
Macra, formally Macra na Feirme, is a voluntary rural youth organisation which means 'stalwarts of the land' in English. Pic: Josephine O'Neill/Instagram
The organisation is a national network of clubs, offering social, community, and personal development opportunities for people aged 17 to 40.
Ms O'Neill said: 'The number of young farmholders under the age of 35 is 6% and unless we act now, our young farmers are going to become an endangered species.
'One of the things we in Macra have been working on for years – and it's a drum that we have been banging – is succession and ensuring that there is a transition [of] the managerial position from the older farmer to the younger farmer in a way that's supportive. And it was something that we were delighted to see in the… Programme for Government last year, but it hasn't been delivered on yet. Pic: Josephine O'Neill/Instagram
'It is something that we need to see the delivery of so that our young farmers know there is a place for them.
Ms O'Neill, a secondary school teacher from Callan, Co. Kilkenny, officially assumed the presidency of Macra on May 10.
She added: 'One of the big things that has to happen as well is that we open the discussion of succession around the kitchen table more too.' Pic: Shutterstock
In 2023, the Central Statistics Office reported that the 6% figure was even lower and that just 4.3% of farmholders in Ireland were aged under 35, while almost 38% were aged 65 or over.
The average age of Irish farmers is 59 and five months.
The data highlight a significant ageing of the farming population, with a substantial proportion of farmholders nearing or already past retirement age.
In Switzerland, subsidies become limited to older farmers which ensures the topic of succession is addressed sooner. View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Macra (@macranafeirme)
Ms O'Neill, the 40th Macra national president, said: 'We need to learn from other countries and look at what they do as we need to ensure that when there is a transition from older farmer to younger farmer, that there are two incomes that need to be supported there.
'We need to look at ways that we can do that to ensure the transition is going to be financially viable for both parties involved.'
She acknowledged there are a lot of other high-income jobs around to keep younger people away from farming. Pic: Shutterstock
'That's something we need to work on as well to ensure that there is a brighter picture about farming in rural Ireland. That it is such an important way of life and it's such an important fabric of the Irish landscape.
'The work-life balance is something you can work on, you can cater towards yourself and we need to work on selling that to the younger person as well so that it is a bright future for them,' she added.
Two thirds of Macra members do not farm. But Ms O'Neill said there is still a 'huge role' for agricultural matters in the organisation. Pic: Shutterstock
Ms O'Neill continued: 'I want to represent the voices of those living in rural Ireland and those of young farmers to ensure that it is a vibrant and sustainable place for them to live, and the issues that affect them such as housing and rural transport.'
She said she is 'passionate' about growing Macra so 'more people are aware' of what it has to offer such as Irish foods.
'I've lots of projects and partnerships I'd love to work on our the next two years as well,' she said.
