Farming in drastic decline

The number of farmers in Londonderry plummeted over the last ten years from 733 in 2000 to 581 in 2009.

The same pattern is replicated in neighbouring Limavady and Strabane where farming also appears to be in serious decline.

In 2000 there were 1,701 farmers in Strabane and 905 in Limavady; now there are just 1,510 and 745 respectively.

There are, therefore, 152 fewer people making a living from farming in Londonderry; 191 fewer in Strabane; and 160 fewer in Limavady.

Thus farming in the North West has diminished by 503 active farmers over the last ten years.

Londonderry DUP Alderman Maurice Devenney said it was essential state farm subsidies are maintained and that supermarkets and banks gave farmers a fair deal otherwise the local agricultural industry could disappear.

He said the local agricultural industry was facing a range of pressures such as low prices for producers, difficulty accessing bank credit, freezing weather conditions and a lack of young farmers and this explained the massive drop over the past ten years.

“My worry would be if the Single Farm Payment (SFP) is reduced the local agricultural industry will disappear altogether. It is very important it is kept up. It is essential when crops fail,” said Alderman Devenney.

The local representative - who comes from a farming background himself - said the SFP had proved a vital support for local potato farmers many of whom lost their crops - £1,800 - £,2000 per acre approximately - as a result of artic conditions two years ago.

But he said this was just one factor contributing to 503 farmers leaving the industry in the North West over ten years.

“Producers are not getting a fair deal,” he said. “Supermarkets are getting 50 per cent more for the goods than the farmers actually are.”

He said rocketing diesel, grain, insurance, equipment and feed prices are also driving many farmers out of the industry.

“It’s not a 9-to-5 six-day-a-week job. It’s a seven-day job, a difficult life, and you’re not getting the young farmers coming through,” said Alderman Devenney.

The local councillor also urged banks to be flexible in terms of providing ready access to credit for farmers, whom he said are good customers as far as loan re-payments are concerned.

“They need to be flexible or the industry will disappear,” he said. “Years ago you used to be able to rent 100 acres and pay for it at the end. But now you have to pay cash up front. It’s essential the banks are flexible in giving credit.”

Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew outlined the drastic decline in response to a query from Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA David McNarry.

The information on the number of people identifying themselves as farmers and partners (full-time and part-time) comes from the June Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture undertaken annually by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).