LEADER Objectives / Strategies
Economic Development, Renewal & Diversification
Objective
· To improve the quality of life by developing, renewing and diversifying the economic base.
Strategy
· Promote best practice, innovation and skills enhancement in key economic sectors.
· Recognise knowledge and expertise as key capital resource.
· Emphasise the need for flexible and adaptable organisational structures.
· Develop new market opportunities for local goods and services.
· Enhance existing work practices, processes and business models.
· Increase value added production levels in food, farm and fisheries sectors.
· Develop and utilise new and emerging technologies to aid operational efficiency.
· Develop on-farm supplementary income opportunities as an aid to farm viability.
· Develop off-farm supplementary income opportunities for farm families.
· Develop and support indigenous IT enterprises.
· Reduce tourism seasonality through niche product development and marketing.
· Encourage the development of local Internationally Traded Services.
· Increase collective and co-operative action in the production and marketing of natural resources and farm produce.
Indicative Actions
- Creation of broad based Agriculture Task Force to establish development agenda for farm development and diversification opportunities.
- Use GIS mapping techniques to determine land use capability and identify development opportunities for alternative land use.
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Develop commercial country market(s) as a sales outlet for local
farm, food and craft produce, with particular emphasis on primary and
traditional produce.
- Promote horticulture development through the establishment of an allotment project as an alternative farm enterprise project on lands adjacent to Cork City.
- Assess and develop models for partnership farming.
- Develop a mentoring service for local farmers wishing to engage in farm diversification.
- Use market information sources to assess new product development and diversification opportunities in the food, farm and fisheries sectors.
- Support for the establishment of producer groups to facilitate the consolidation and marketing of local primary produce.
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Use and apply available research material and practice to develop
new commercial opportunities in key local economic sectors.
Indicators & Targets
- Development initiatives emerging from the Agriculture Task Force.
- Number of on-farm/off-farm initiatives supported.
- Number of producer groups established and revenues accruing to same.
- Market access secured through producer groups and collective action.
- Reduction in reliance on agricultural employment and revenues.
- Number of farm facilities assisted in development and diversification through provision of mentor support.
- Number of farm partnerships developed.
- Number of new internationally traded services developed or adapted.
- Percentage increase in manufacturing sector employment.
- Increase in shoulder season and off-peak tourism revenue earnings.
- Percentage change in employment levels within local economy .