Young farmers have been urged to step forward and steer the evolution of the co-op sector. The call came from outgoing president of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS).
Jerry Long made the comment in Portlaoise at the 127th ICOS AGM this week. He said: “We now need to see a next generation of farmers coming forward to lead the continuous evolution, sustainability and success of our sector in the critically important decades ahead. The achievements of the Irish co-operative movement for over a century and more have been driven by generations of farmers.”
“The current generation of co-operative leaders serve us well, and will continue to do so,” he said. “Leadership is hugely important in the co-operative movement. We have created hugely successful businesses, trading on global markets, matching and beating the best organisations in the world.”
In his view it is fulfilling to help shape the future direction of a co-operative enterprise. “Those businesses are owned and controlled by farmers, for farmers, with everything about them designed to support and promote their members.”
Strong leadership, he stated, also entailed implementing some popular and not-so-popular decisions. “That strong leadership will be called on to an even greater extent over the coming years. While we’re in a strategically strong position at the moment, we face some substantial headwinds that aren’t of our making.”
He reiterated that, “Young people are our most valuable resource. We need their talent, energy and idealism, and so I challenge our younger generation of farmers to come forward and get involved in your co-operative.”