Securing the future: Teagasc and Maynooth University tackle the generational renewal puzzle

With the average age of an Irish farm holder sitting at 59.4 years and a mere 4.3% under the age of 35, the question of who will work the land next is no longer just an agricultural concern, it is a critical test for the survival of rural communities, Research Economist at Teagasc, Anne Kinsella tells us more.

At the forefront of addressing this challenge is a high-impact research collaboration between Maynooth University and Teagasc. Led by Dr Michael Hayden from Maynooth’s School of Business (and Bridget McNally) alongside Teagasc research economist Anne Kinsella and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the project – Sustainable Transition of the Rural Economy Through Generational Renewal – was a headline feature during Maynooth University’s recent Research Week 2026.

The two pillars of transition

The research highlights that generational renewal cannot be solved by simply encouraging young people into agriculture. Instead, it requires a delicate, two-sided policy balancing act, focusing on ‘retiree’ at one side who can ‘retire with security’ and the successor at the other side, who needs clear structured path in.

Around half of Irish farmers lack a private pension, a figure that drops to roughly 40% among sheep and cattle enterprises. Without a viable safety net or clear exit strategy, older farmers feel compelled to hold onto the land rather than step aside. While younger generations need formal, structured pathways into farm management and ownership before a full handover occurs.

From campus showcase to national policy

The project’s spotlight during Maynooth’s Research Week underscored how academic partnerships can directly shape real-world outcomes. The research was profiled in a Research Impact Case Study commissioned by Maynooth University Research Development Office, as an exemplar case study to showcase projects from within the University that have delivered benefits beyond academia and have demonstrated significant research impact.

Findings from the team have already been presented to the0 Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming, heavily influencing its final recommendations, and have even been shared internationally via platforms hosted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the EU Commission.

Complementing these academic milestones is Teagasc’s wider outreach – such as its Generational Renewal Week – which urge families to start small conversations early. By treating farm succession less as a ‘sudden crisis’ situation and more as a supported business transition, Maynooth and Teagasc are laying the groundwork for a resilient, intergenerational future in Irish farming.

Feature created at the National Ploughing Championships

Maynooth University, in partnership with Teagasc, released research and video content, some of which was shot at the recent National Ploughing Championships when the research team met with Maria Walsh MEP, examining generational renewal in agriculture, addressing how to support young farmers and help older farmers transition out with financial security.

Key resources

For more on the Sustainable Transition of the Rural Economy Through Generational Renewal project, watch the below video:

Research Overview: Read the Maynooth University Research Spotlight for details on how School of Business research informs national policy on older farmers retiring and younger generations stepping in.

Policy Update: Check out the Maynooth University News Article on how this research continues to shape national strategy.