The Land Mobility Service is now heading into its sixth year and has evolved from a pilot project to a nationwide service.

What is the Land Mobility Service?

The Land Mobility Service is a Macra na Feirme initiative which was established with the support of FBD Trust, the Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders including numerous food processors.

It provides expert, independent and dedicated support for farmers, farm families and landowners who are thinking about expansion, changing enterprise, or stepping back. The focus is on the delivery of sustainable collaborative farming arrangements.

How does the service work?

The service has three key elements:

  • To create awareness and provide information.
  • To deliver sustainable arrangements that work for all parties.
  • To support these arrangements on an ongoing basis.

    • All engagement is confidential and without obligation.

    The service is an expert facilitator that explores and helps find solutions for farmers and farm families taking into account all parameters including EU payments, tax and farm budgeting.

    What triggered the establishment of the service?

    Studies had identified the need for dedicated land mobility support – 26% of farmers are over the age of 65 and 48% of full-time farmers have no identified farming successor. Opportunities now exist for new thinking for better land use models.

    Is the service delivering?

    Yes, delivery has exceeded all expectations. Since its inception, the service has demonstrated that with dedicated independent expertise, farmers can be facilitated to enter into new collaborative arrangements, leading to a better return for both the farmer and the landowner. The service has facilitated over 500 arrangements to date, representing a change in land use or land mobility for 47,000ac. On the ground, this is really making a difference.

    Is it all dairy and dairy focused?

    No, the service supports all enterprises and has facilitated arrangements across all.

    What is the most important thing in developing an arrangement?

    The most important thing is finding the right person. The arrangement type and price or share will be what works for everyone. This is where the expert independent facilitation of the Land Mobility Service is so important, the arrangement must work for and deliver for all parties.