Rural depopulation

• Traditionally, land passes from father to son however farming in the North and Western region is often not seen as a good career prospect by younger generations.
• Holdings are small (average 24.8 ha) and many farms operate on a subsistence level.
• 50% of farmers require a second income in order to survive Many young people chose not to take up farming opting for careers that paid better and had more security. 
• This encouraged rural to urban migration as many young people left rural areas for better opportunities in urban areas. As a result, the age profile of farmers in this region is rising.
• 60% of farmers were over the age of 55 in 2014.
• Many older farmers are reluctant to spend money to modernise their farms, preferring to use their traditional methods.
• Many farms have been abandoned as young people continue to leave and older farmers become unable to work the farm.
• Older farmers are less likely to use machinery and as a result productivity levels are low.
• There are only 6.7 tractors per 10 farms in this area.
• Continued rural depopulation means that services for farmers such as marts and veterinary offices are shutting down.