Irish young farmers name access to finance as a top concern
At a generational renewal summit in Naas, Ireland, young farmers cited difficulty obtaining finance as a key obstacle. The event was organised by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS).
A summit on generational renewal in farming, AgRenew Ireland, took place in Naas, Co. Kildare, on Thursday, November 5. Young farmers there named access to finance as one of the main obstacles, particularly because many have few assets to offer as security.
The event was organised by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) together with the Golden Jubilee Trust, a Dublin-based charity promoting the agricultural co-operative movement. It brought together agri-sector stakeholders, politicians and policymakers. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon gave the opening speech, and European Commissioner Christophe Hansen sent a video message. Most panel discussions included young people who are already working in the sector or are trying to establish themselves in it.
Finance and land
Ciara Ryan, manager of Mid Tipp Mart in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, said the main topics were access to finance and access to land. She noted that the situation depends on the area: in some places land is the bigger challenge, elsewhere the problem is funding for buying stock or land, or for investment loans. She called for supports such as help with business plans and with building relationships with bank managers when a young farmer has no assets.
Kildare dairy farmer Conor Wynne said he found it very hard to obtain finance when starting out, with no security or assets. He secured an unsecured loan, but said the sum was tiny in the bigger picture. Over time he has built a rapport with the banks and now has accounts to show.
Westmeath dairy farmer Cian Jobe called for a system that makes it easier for young people to access finance. In his view, existing loan schemes come with many criteria and restrictions on how the money can be used.
Work-life balance
Jobe also raised another issue mentioned several times at the summit: farmers' lifestyles and work-life balance. He said some farmers are still milking cows at 9 and 10 o'clock at night, and that introducing more structure into days and rosters could make the industry more attractive to young people.
