Executive Summary of Plan for the Development of Horticulture in Teagasc 2010-2013
Executive Summary This “Plan for the Development of Horticulture in Teagasc 2010-2013” addresses both the ongoing need for change identified in Teagasc 2030 and the Teagasc Change Programme 2009-2013 as well as the need for maximising resources of horticulture in Teagasc against a background of a deteriorating budgetary position. The horticultural sector contributes over €360 million (CSO, 2008) to agricultural output at farm gate level and provides over 6,000 jobs in the production sector. In addition the amenity services sector has a value of over €2 billion and employs an estimated 12,700 people. There is considerable potential for development of horticulture at both production and value added levels. Fruit and vegetables play a very important role in addressing the nation’s health problems and horticultural pursuits contribute to a positive lifestyle. The need for ongoing industry modernisation remains a key priority to attain the efficiencies required in a competitive global horticultural industry. New EU regulations concerning pesticides were enacted in November 2009. These together with the volumes of existing regulations including the Nitrate directorate, hygiene regulations etc will have major implications for all growers as well as the input and output service industries. The goal of Teagasc will be to provide growers and the industry with the knowledge and skills to abide by these regulations while enabling growers and the industry to deliver increased profit from productivity. The primary recommendations are listed below: 1. Exploit the development potential of horticulture, prioritising mushrooms, fruit/vegetable, nursery stock/cut foliage and turfgrass sectors. a. Support innovation that adds value in the food sector taking advantage of the positive healthy profile associated with fruit/vegetables. b. Support innovation that creates diversity in the nursery stock/cut foliage sector. c. Use Producer Organisations to drive investment and consolidate market developments where possible. 2. Integrate horticultural research, advisory and education services in one programme under the leadership of a dedicated programme manager. This will better service the needs of the horticultural sector and enable rationalisation of Teagasc resources. Horticultural activities will be located at a) Ashtown/National Botanic Gardens b) Kildalton. Potato development work will be associated with the tillage crops and potato expertise in Oak Park. 3. The drivers of the horticultural programme will be a) Profit from productivity; b) Innovation for added value; c) Energy efficiency and d) stakeholders needs. 4. Teagasc will form a “Horticultural Commodity Team” comprising representatives from Teagasc, Bord Bia, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and stakeholders representing sectoral interests including growers and the industry. This team will provide leadership and coordination to the horticultural industry. Enterprise teams will be established to provide leadership to the individual sectors. A Joint Programme Development Team with representatives from Research, Advice and Education will draw up the annual Teagasc Horticulture Business Plan. 5. Key appointments required subject to resources are: a. entomologist to service the needs of all horticultural production; b. Specialist-Researcher on potatoes; c. Specialist-Researcher on mushrooms; d. Post doctorate or post graduate researcher on cut foliage; and, e. Knowledge transfer person dealing with horticultural web content, publications, short courses and public events.
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