Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 October 2022
388. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of number of persons who have left full-time farming since 1997; his views on whether this represents progress; his views on the decline in the number of full-time farmers; the steps that he is taking to counter the decline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52571/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) carries out a census of agriculture every ten years, with the last census held in 2020. The census provides data on the number of family farm holders who regard farming as their 'sole', 'major' or 'subsidiary' occupation.
Since the census held in 2000, the number of family farm holders who indicate that farming is their sole occupation or major occupation has changed from 98,366 to 96,153, a drop of 2,213 farm holders or 2.2%. A larger decrease is in those indicating farm work as a subsidiary occupation, dropping by 8,913 or 21% over the 20-year period.
Over the same period the total number of family farms dropped by 11,126 or 7.9%. During this time the number of non-family farms has increased from 185 in 2000 to 4,821 farms in 2020, resulting in the total number of farm holdings dropping by 6,490 or 4.6%, from 141,527 to 135,037.
Non-Family Farms are mostly comprised of commercial farms which pay all their workers as employees, including management, or farms connected with institutions such as schools, colleges, etc. If one person from each non-family farm holdings is included, then the number of those whose sole or major occupation is farm work would be 100,974 in 2020, which is 2,423 higher (or 2.5%) than in 2000.
Table1. CSO Census - Significance of Farm work on Family Farms 2000, 2010 and 2020
|
- |
2000 |
2000 |
2010 |
2010 |
2020 |
2020 |
|
Significance of farm work |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
|
Sole occupation |
56% |
78,723 |
54% |
75,223 |
53% |
69,456 |
|
Major occupation |
14% |
19,643 |
15% |
20,258 |
21% |
26,697 |
|
Total Sole or Major occupation |
70% |
98,366 |
69% |
95,481 |
74% |
96,153 |
|
Subsidiary occupation |
30% |
42,976 |
32% |
44,075 |
26% |
34,063 |
|
Total Family Farms |
141,342 |
139,556 |
130,216 |
I will continue to lead and support the sector, for example, through the development and delivery of the CAP Strategic Plan, which will provide almost €10 billion to our farm families over the next five years to support them to continue to produce world-class, safe and sustainable food as well as supporting them in their important work of meeting our climate ambitions.
Generational renewal is critical to the future of the agri-food sector and one of my priorities. National taxation measures to assist succession and land mobility, together with the support available under the CAP, such as the Young Farmers Scheme, the National Reserve Scheme and the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, represent a substantial commitment to young farmers.
In the Budget for 2023, I announced the highest-ever level of funding for the Department, a 13% increase overall, and I will continue to deliver the appropriate level of support, including working with my colleagues on business supports for farmers, fishers and food & drink businesses.
I also look forward to working with the sector in delivering on our shared strategy, Food Vision 2030, and its ambition of being “A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”, in the decade ahead.
