Collaborative farming: Incentives and barriers

Research on collaborative farming, completed by researchers in Maynooth University and Teagasc and published in the Journal of Rural Studies, has pinpointed key incentives and barriers to entering such arrangements in Ireland.

The research completed by Dr. Michael Hayden and Dr. Bridget McNally, Maynooth University, and Dr. Mika Shin and Dr. Anne Kinsella, Teagasc, examined why collaborative farming agreements are formed, what benefits they deliver and what barriers limit wider uptake.

Garnering insights from farmers and agricultural advisors and focused on partnerships and limited companies, chief among the study’s findings were that financial incentives and a desire to bring the next generation into the farming business were the primary reasons farmers entered collaborative farming arrangements. The evidence also indicates that policy measures with a financial incentive are likely to boost participation in collaborative farming.

From the study, young collaborators’ perspectives were also gathered, noting that such arrangements gave them a real sense of ownership and involvement in running the farming enterprise, rather than seeing themselves as hired labour.

Significant barriers to setting up and operating these arrangements were also identified, namely financial concerns – particularly fears over whether a farm can generate enough income to support all parties involved or to provide an adequate retirement income for older farmers stepping away from the business.

The research also shed light on why collaborative arrangements can break down. Strained personal relationships, poor communication and a mismatch between expectations before and after establishment were all cited as common causes. Trust, the study found, is critical and is best supported through open discussion on management, decision-making, long-term intentions and dispute resolution.

In terms of entering such collaborative arrangements, interviewees described the administrative burden attached to establishing partnerships or limited companies as cumbersome and onerous. Farmers considering collaboration are encouraged to speak with others already in such arrangements, seek professional advice and put in place detailed formal agreements.

For full insights, read the research paper: ‘Evidence from the ground: Insights into collaborative farming for generational renewal’.