Passion and enthusiasm returns to farming

Editorial Department • Published 9 Feb 2012 13:00 0 Comments

The agricultural industry might have been looked at with some pessimism a number of years ago as other industries quickly galloped ahead and became more appealing to people to work in. How things have changed.

After years of being what some might describe as a cinderella industry, or as a poor relation in the workplace, fortunes are changing in the rural economy.

The farming industry is one of the few shining lights in an otherwise gloomy economy and is leading a revival for those engaged on the farm as well as in many of the associated industries dependent on it.

However despite the latest farm incomes showing a lift in earnings in the past year, they are subject to a high cost structure which needs addressed.

Probably the most evident factor in the industry at present is the growing appeal to young people to re-engage with agriculture after years of struggling to attract decent numbers of students to courses.

This past year has seen an all time high of applications for the wide spectrum of agricultural courses available in Northern Ireland and prospects for the next year look extremely promising too. And with this comes a buzz of enthusiasm as shown in our story on the Wilson family from Magheraveely this week, who are featured on the TV series, "Rare Breed." The Wilson boys, Jack and Robbie, represent the passion there is among young people in farming circles who despite their young ages, look to the years ahead when they can join their mum and dad on the family farm.

Cynics might look at farmers with some disdain, saying they are always crying wolf, etc. The reality is that behind the gloss, there is still a struggle to make a decent living from farming because of the high costs involved and only those with a sound business approach can turn their rural enterprise into profit at the end of the year. Farmers will spend any money they make, constantly investing in their farm businesses and thus benefiting the many other sectors of the industry.

The young people graduating from agricultural courses are also better qualified than their predecessors, as more are undertaking higher level courses which adopt a more business-like approach.

There is now more optimism around in farming circles and our agri-food sector looks to be in capable hands in the years ahead as it meets the challenge of feeding a growing world population with affordable food for all.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 09 Feb 12

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