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The LEO, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, is conducting a study, which aims to create and support jobs within the ag-tech sector.
The study, which is part of a regional enterprise plan, begins on 10 July and finishes around 15 August.
Gillian Slattery, coordinator of the study, said it will “support the agriculture sector in the west and business of all sizes, from sole traders to well-established businesses. It will examine the support they currently have, identifying the network currently in place to aid development”.
Aim of the study
According to Slattery, the sole purpose of the study is to provide all types of farmers and companies with top-level support to accelerate the growth of businesses in this sector.
The study is aimed at helping everyone. For example, if a farmer had an idea, the LEO would meet with the individual, discuss the best way forward for the idea assisting them through the whole process.
In more depth, the LEO would provide support such as catering for business needs, research and development, designing prototypes, marketing information, launching products, increasing sales and more.
The LEO has already been working with companies such as lke Cormac Tagging (Ireland's leading sheep and cattle tag company) based in Tuam, Co Galway, advising it on what it can do to allow its business to flourish. It also aims to work with larger companies such as McHale during the study and in the future.
Building a network of businesses allows them to share ideas and address common problems together
Ag-tech is a growing sector currently employing 500 people, but it is unclear what companies require to allow them to grow.
The study of these companies aims to assess the feasibility of creating a business network across the three counties involved and further in future.
Brenda Fox, head of LEO, in Co Galway said: “Building a network of businesses allows them to share ideas and address common problems together, problems that would not be easily solved alone.”
What the study hopes to achieve
Once the study finishes around the middle of August, a preliminary report will be produced, providing details on the needs and requirements of businesses, and the advice they require to perform to the best of their ability.
All information gathered will be used to create the best-practice model for the ag-tech sector, examining the possibility of programme development for companies, as well as encouraging the startup of businesses within the ag-tech sector.
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