DESPITE the flight from the land, nearly 5,000 young people are currently studying to become full time farmers, the director of Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority, has revealed, writes Sean MacConnell
Teagasc, which provides full and part time courses for young people, experienced a "huge demand for places in residential colleges where the courses are held.
"The demand came mainly from families working larger, more progressive farms who appear confident that there is a good living for the younger people," said Dr Liam Downey.
Dr Downey said that enrolments at residential colleges this year were expected to number around 1,600, while the remaining students are continuing in the programme.
To meet the needs of prospective part time farmers, Teagasc was also running certificate courses in rural enterprise, where young people would be taught farming and other skills, he said.