Farms Selling Direct to Consumers

Description

The report is targeted at farmers interested in reaching consumers directly and gaining a share of the margin between farm gate and consumer. This research is important in the Irish context as farmers struggle to maintain income and profitability. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) has identified other weaknesses in Irish agriculture: farmers’ older age profile, income volatility due to commodities market, and environmental challenges.

This research aims to address these weaknesses in Irish agriculture by identifying alternative and more profitable farm income streams which provide farm-related employment opportunities for younger rural dwellers thus reducing the age profile and reduce farms’ environmentally damaging impacts.