Irish people have begun to return to the land as the recession leads to greater unemployment and less job creation, according to a report by Bloomberg News.
Ireland’s agricultural sector was ignored during the boom years in favor of foreign conglomerates lured by lower corporate tax and the construction bubble.
The article pointed out that more Irish people are seeking casual work on farms, having seen the construction boom draw people away from agricultural work and towards the more lucrative work available on building sites.
Moreover, land that had been priced out of farmers’ range by the construction boom is now dropping back to pre-bubble prices, too. According to the report, “developers pushed up prices to more than 58,400 euros ($81,140) a hectare in 2006, the highest in Europe, according to the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, citing data from property agents Savills Plc.”
The report also points out that Teagasc, the Irish agricultural and food development authority, saw a jump of nearly 50% in enrolment for course this year compared to 2007. Teagasc teaches a range of agricultural skills as well as skills such as growing organic food in Ireland.
8 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.beachline | Oct 24, 2010, 12:17 PM EDT
George Dillon--you are an idiot! Irelands treasure is its land and agriculture. That is what kept so many people in Ireland during the mass migration of the famine years. Irelands mistake was trying to compete with other countries for more and more urbanization. The chickens always come home to roost.
jessefontana | Oct 18, 2010, 07:18 PM EDT
i believe that the farms in the future will rule the economy as crops and cattle in countries like the U.S are losing farmers and other countries are having drought and insects eating whole crops - Ireland is in a great position to lead the way in crop production and become a powerhouse of the world- so dont make light of farmers as they will end up the future becoming the fortune 500 -
maloney | Oct 14, 2010, 06:09 PM EDT
City dwellers going back to the land is the best thing that could happen to anyone, anywere. If you don't agree then you have been in the city to long & you are a fool.
sirpeter | Oct 13, 2010, 09:51 PM EDT
George..you're a fool..keep putting down my country and i will hunt down your posts and show everyone here what an idiot you are
sirpeter | Oct 13, 2010, 09:47 PM EDT
George ..Shut the fu*k up,Ireland is not North Korea and if you keep been a prick,I will hunt down every post you make and show everyone what an idiot you are.
sirpeter | Oct 13, 2010, 06:47 PM EDT
The land was always the heart,soul and spirit of Ireland.It can't be a bad thing that we're going back to it. Now can someone get me in touch with a good poteen maker?
plasticpaddy | Oct 13, 2010, 04:38 PM EDT
In north Korea the aim is always to get to the city, not vice versa, as the city Pyongyang is where all the 'politically desirable' live. your smart comment didn't work George
GeorgeDillon | Oct 13, 2010, 03:53 PM EDT
City dwellers going back to the land? Seems like Ireland gets more & more like North Korea each day!