The launch of the new course in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness at IT Carlow's Wexford campus is an exciting development for agriculture in the county. Coupled with the announcement of a €7.5m investment in Johnstown Castle, merely a ten minute drive away, there is definitely a recognition of potential in the area.

The new course will begin accepting students in September 2016 and they can opt for the three year level seven course or bolt on another year to qualify with a level eight. Practical modules of the course will be carried out in conjunction with Teagasc at the research facility in Johnstown Castle.

Unusually, the idea for this course came from the ground up. The IFA in Wexford have, along with others, been working on this project for the last six years and secured funding near the beginning from the FBD trust. President of the IFA, Eddie Downey, welcomed the launch of the course.

"There is a huge demand for agricultural education throughout the country and we need to make sure the right opportunities are there to meet the demand," said Downey. "This new course will equip graduates to capitalise on the opportunities that exist within the agri-food sector and to meet the ambitious growth targets expected of the sector in the years to come."​

Speculation

Despite speculation that demand for agricultural courses among students have plateaued, Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle remains confident that there will be a demand for it due to its location in a strong agricultural county.

"A farmer who has a higher level of education will have a better income," said Boyle. "The farmer of the future will have to be more educated and this generates a spin off for the local economy."

Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Departments of An Taoiseach and Defence, Paul Kehoe, complimented the Head of Wexford Campus, Caroline Murphy, and the faculty at IT Carlow for bringing the initiative to fruition in collaboration with the IFA and Teagasc.

"In this changing environment a farmer will need to be as competent in operating a GPS system, or drawing up a business plan as he or she will be competent in animal or crop husbandry," said Kehoe. "Farming, probably more than most other sectors of the economy, is vigorously competing in a globalised market which is finely attuned to the business imperatives of the agri-food sector."