1. Climate Smart Agriculture in Ireland: An Overview
Ronan Gleeson,
Assistant Agricultural Inspector,
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), IRELAND
GACSA Annual Forum, 15th June 2016.
Ronan Gleeson , Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, IRELAND

2. Location and climate
Grassland Area
Ireland
Europe
80%
40%

3. Land use and agriculture

4. Emissions from agriculture

5. Challenges towards implementing CSA in Ireland
Mitigation
Total emissions from agriculture are projected to increase by 6 to 7% over the period 2014 – 2020 (EPA, 2016)
Adaptation
The Irish agriculture sector has in recent years faced an increased number of extreme weather events e.g. 2012/2013 livestock fodder crisis
Productivity
Irish agriculture has significantly improved its performance in term of productivity and output in recent decades
Structural barriers

6. CSA network for Ireland
Co-operation of stakeholders
Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act
Enabling Environment:
Food Wise 2025,
Research programmes e.g. SHARP, EIP
Advisory and extension,
IFA Smart Farming,
Knowledge:
Investment:
RDP
CAP,

7. Co-operation
Knowledge Transfer Groups: best agronomic and environmental practice via discussion groups
Farmer participation
Extension
Research
Investment
Advisory services: Continuous Professional Development
Grassland management, Genetics, ICT
Public: RDP, EIP’s
Private: Demonstration Farms, Credit access

8. Conclusions
Agriculture is an important element of the landscape and economy
Significant challenges ahead particularly in terms of climate mitigation
Practices can have co-benefits for CSA
Requires co-operation from building capacity among farmers to the wider engagement of, and interaction among, other relevant actors (research, extension)

9. Thank you