Macra na Feirme’s new president Thomas Duffy has called on Macra na Feirme members to rise to the challenges they face in agriculture, the environment and the economy and not allow these challenges to define the generation.

Speaking at the Macra na Feirme AGM in Athy, Co Kildare, the 37th president of Macra said: “Hope for the future is lower in our generation. Challenges are seen as insurmountable.

“Populists prey on our culture of fear like carrion crows. Macra has become a force for change in agriculture over 75 years. This isn’t a zero-sum game. As we have created a vision for agriculture, we must now make a vision for all Ireland.’’

He also discussed climate change saying: “Macra has always been an organisation that offers solutions, not just criticisms.

“We cannot be reactionary to climate change. We must be progressive in our image for what we are going to do.”

This year’s AGM returned to Athy, the birthplace of Macra as it celebrates its 75th anniversary and concluding his speech Thomas Duffy ended fittingly with a quote from founder Stephen Cullinan: ‘‘The promised land is ahead, a rural people established on goodwill and co-operation prepared to put the welfare of the community before personal advancement.”

Cavan’s Thomas Duffy now succeeds James Healy as president and is joined by vice-presidents Gerard Mahon (Leinster), Fergus O’Rourke (Northwest), Sean Wallace (Munster).