Towards 2030: Teagasc’s Role in Transforming Ireland’s Agro-Food Sector and the wider Bioeconomy
Executive Summary (excerpt)
Ireland is entering an exciting new era in farming and food production that promises tremendous opportunities, but also considerable challenges. After two decades of relative stability but little growth and weak prices, we now face a period of opportunity for our major sectors. Young people with the necessary education and skills can look forward with confidence to a good future in farming. But these opportunities will be tempered by a level of uncertainty and pace of change that will be greater and faster than before. Innovation will be the key to prosperity as never before. This has major implications for Ireland’s agri-food sector and rural economy, for farmers and fi rms and, especially for Teagasc, the national agency responsible for research, advice and education in this area. Against this backdrop, Teagasc undertook a detailed 18-month technology foresight exercise.