South East Leitrim  Farmers Group

South East Leitrim Farmers Development Group (S.E.L.F.D.G.), formed in 1997, are representative of the interests of suckler cow farming families in the parishes of Ballinamore, Cloone, Gortletteragh, Carrigallen, Mohill and Fenagh.

  Meetings to discuss a local initiative took place with Leitrim Partnership’s Smallholders Working Group, which includes representatives from the IFA, Teagasc and Partnership Board Members who endorsed the initiative.  It was felt that there was a need to explore the possibilities further and subsequent meetings took place with the International Fund for Ireland, Interreg and the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation

The group also met to discuss the situation and contact was made with all relevant agencies who expressed interest in the proposal and in the long term situation of the suckler farmers. 

Cross Border Linkages

South East Leitrim Farmers Development Group have established cross border linkages with the Tempo Farmers Group through the best practice visits. The Tempo group represent the interests of small scale suckler holdings in North East Fermanagh.  Both groups have conducted extensive consultations within their respective catchment areas which has identified a number of projects which, where appropriate, will be developed as cross border projects.  The projects identified are centred around the theme of lifelong learning and include suckler herd welfare, ITC training, and bulk buying.

It is envisaged that a joint Management Committee comprised of three representatives from each group, will be established for the overall management of cross border projects initiated. 

Economic Status/Unemployment 

In 1996 there were 3,393 males in the catchment DEDs aged 15 years and over, 60% of this total were at work, with 6.7% unemployed.  In the county as a whole 59% of

the adult male population was at work, while 10% were unemployed.  There were 3,000 females aged over 15 in the catchment area, 29% of which were in employment, 3% of which were unemployed.  The unemployment level for the country as a whole in 1996 was 21%.

The highest unemployment rates within the catchment area were to be found in Oughteragh (24.3%) and Garvagh (24.1%).  The unemployment rate for Leitrim APC was 12.6% which is below the national figure of 14.8% in 1996.

Agriculture

The 1991 Census of Agriculture revealed a total area of 31,180 hectares farmed in the catchment area.  The total number of herd owners, based on 1999 data, within the catchment area was 1,161.  With an average herd size of 15 this would give a suckler herd size of 17,415.

The catchment area has experienced a 21% reduction in agricultural employment in the period 1986 – 1996.  This reduction is in line with the regional and national figures of 20.8% and 19.7% respectively.

The Estimated Average Agricultural Income calculated from the 1991 Census of Agriculture for all 29 DED’s contained within the South East Leitrim Farmers Development Group catchment at 1991 was £7,252.  However this figure is inflated due to the high degree of variance displayed between individual DED’s.  In total only  3 of the 29 DED’s within the catchment displayed an average annual income above £10,000.  For those remaining the average annual income was £6,528.

Socio-Economic Profile – South East Leitrim Group

The South East Leitrim Farmers Development Group have selected a total of 29 DEDs to be included in this study.  They include: Ballinamore, Drumreilly North, Drumreilly South, Garraedice, Greaghglass, Killygar, Newtown, Oughteragh, Stralongford, Aghacashel, Cloverhill, Drumreilly East, Drumreilly West, Aghavas, Carrigallen East, Carrigallen West, Cattan, Cloone, Corriga, Drumard, Fenagh, Gortermone, Keeldra, Lisgillock, Mohill, Rinn, Riverstown and Garvagh.  The following statistics are taken from the G.A.M.M.A. report which examines the County Leitrim Partnership Area (APC) in terms of its demography, economic activity and levels of affluence and deprivation, based on the 1996 Population Census, the Census of Agriculture, Dun and Bradstreet and the Household Budget Survey.