Abstract
The family farm has been the pillar of rural society for decades, stabilising rural economies and strengthening social and cultural traditions. Nonetheless, family farm numbers across Europe are declining as farmers endeavour to overcome issues of climate change, viability, farm structural change and intergenerational farm succession. Issues around farm viability and a lack of innovative agricultural practices play a key role in succession decisions, preventing older farmers from passing on the farm, and younger farmers from taking up the mantel. A multifunctional farming environment, however, increasingly encourages family farms to embrace diversity and look towards innovative and sustainable practices. Across the European Union, organic farming has always been a strong diversification option, and although, historically, its progress was limited within an Irish context, its popularity is growing. To examine the impact of organic farm diversification on issues facing the Irish farm family, this paper draws on a qualitative case study with a group of Irish organic farmers engaged in the Maximising Organic Production System (MOPS) EIP-AGRI Project. The case study was constructed using a phased approach where each stage shaped the next. This started with a desk-based analysis, then moving on to semi-structured interviews and a focus group, which were then consolidated with a final feedback session. Data gathering occurred in mid to late 2020. Research results reveal the uptake of innovative practices not only improve farm viability, but also encourage the next generation of young farmers to commit to the family farm and consider farming long-term.
Highlights
In the last four decades, there has been a radical overhaul of the agricultural industry, with a shift from a productivist agricultural regime to a multifunctional agricultural environment [1,2,3]
Organic Production Systems (MOPS) EIP-AGRI (European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural productivity) and Sustainability project, we explore how a change in mind-set can be incubated in the context of a move towards organics
The fundamental features of case study research consists of ‘a qualitative approach in which the investigator explores abounded system or multiple bounded systems over time through detailed, in-depth data collection involving multiple sources of information and reports a case description and case-based themes’. This is the process which was undertaken in this research, where a case study was utilised to examine issues around young farmers, new entrants, succession, farm viability and organic farming in Ireland
Summary
In the last four decades, there has been a radical overhaul of the agricultural industry, with a shift from a productivist agricultural regime to a multifunctional agricultural environment [1,2,3]. Agriculture is considered multifunctional when the functions and services it provides go beyond food production to encompass a wider social, environmental and economic role. This includes, for example, links to local food supply chains, farms that create and preserve cultural landscapes, or preservation of biodiversity, soil and water quality. Through consistent amendments of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), EU policy makers have attempted to deal with a myriad of agricultural issues from environmental concerns to food security Amongst all this change, the family farm strives to remain relevant, resilient and sustainable [4]. The younger generations are looked on as more willing to embrace smart
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