32. #CAP : CAP’s economic pillar: supporting livelihoods and sustainable growth

First and foremost, agriculture is a livelihood for farmers and the foundation of the rural economy across Europe. Farmers are having to adapt to new environmental and social requirements while striving to boost efficiency and profitability in a sustainable way. This latest podcast in the ‘Food for Europe’ series looks at the economic pillar of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the way in which it seeks to support thew business of farming. In particular, the episode looks at the valuable services provided by farm advisory structures to farmers looking to diversify, maximise profitability and develop their farms’ full potential. Our guests on this programme include: Phil Stewart, a farmer from County Longford in central Ireland; Shane Devaney, a farm advisor from Teagasc, the Irish Agricultural and Food Development Authority, working directly with Phil to boost the farm’s viability; Barry Caslin, an expert from Teagasc who provides an overview of farm support services offered by his organisation; and Iman Boot, team leader on economic sustainability from DG AGRI.