A donation of €28,000 has been made by the Agri Aware organisation to the Samaritans organisation to support its work in rural Ireland.
The donation was initiated by a group of farmers who saw the need to promote and support the work of the organisation in rural Ireland, where there is a high rate of suicide among young people, especially men.
The chairman of Agri Aware, Mr Mike Magan, said that many people in rural Ireland suffered from isolation and the Samaritans had provided a listening ear and help for those who sought it.
Mr Magan said Agri Aware, which was set up to promote a positive image of agriculture in Ireland, would not attempt to dictate where the money was to be spent by the help group but was very happy that it would be spent helping the rural population.
Ms Ruby Gould, the publicity officer for the Samaritans in the Republic, said the organisation intended to use this money to further develop its role in combating rural isolation.
"We will especially highlight our help line, which is open 24 hours a day for all the members of our rural communities. We listen with an open mind, and in complete confidence, for as long as you need," she said.
The IFA president, Mr John Dillon, said that having been involved in campaigns with the Samaritans in the past, the IFA was fully aware of the vital work it did throughout rural Ireland.
"We are delighted to be a part of this very worthy fundraising initiative and know that the money raised will be put to very good use throughout the country," he said.
The number of deaths by suicide showed a slight increase last year, from 448 in 2001 to 451, and as in previous years, the majority of these were young men.
In total, 371 men and 80 women committed suicide last year.
The rate of suicide among farmers and farm workers fell to 33 in 2002 compared to 45 in 2001. It reached its highest level in the mid-1980s.
Ireland has one of the highest rates of suicide among young men in the EU.