revised swot analysis and needs assessment

Revised SWOT analysis and Needs Assessment Mary Carey

18th February 2021

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2 Rialtas na hÉireann | Government of Ireland An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Overview of CAP Strategic Plan Process

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3 Rialtas na hÉireann | Government of Ireland

CSP Development – roadmap*

*Note: Timelines are subject to change depending on progress through the many steps and on when the CAP Reform Regulations are agreed at EU level

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SWOT and Needs Consultations to date • Sept 2019: CCC Presentation SWOT quadrants and process

• Sept/Oct 19: Public Consultation (120 submissions received)

• Oct 2019: Stakeholder workshop

• Nov 2019: CCC update on stakeholder workshop

• Dec 2019: CCC high level overview of public consultation themes

• Feb 2020: CCC presentation of revised SWOT (comments invited)

• May 2020: CCC invited to send in needs based on updated SWOT

• June 2020: Open focus group discussions on needs

• June 2020: Discussion on revised draft high level list

• July 2020: Discussion on prioritisation of needs & possible interventions


Overview of SWOT analysis

• The SWOT analysis comprises, for each of the 9

specific objectives, a comprehensive overall

description of the current situation of the area

covered by the CSP

• Strengths and Weaknesses look to the past

• Opportunities and Threats look to the future

• The SWOT analysis identified a total of:

• 111 Strengths

• 94 Weaknesses

• 105 Opportunities; and

• 75 Threats

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Overview of Changes to Final SWOT Draft

The SWOT analysis was reviewed and edited to include:

• Feedback from stakeholders;

• Updated figures;

• Recent policy initiatives

• Feedback from ex-ante evaluators

• Points raised in the Commission’s Recommendation

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Feedback from Stakeholders

• The importance of acknowledging the opportunities presented by farm diversification,

including the climate/environment related benefits

Obj4.O10: Support opportunities for on-farm diversification to lower carbon intensity farming

and to meet bio-energy demands

• The importance of the AKIS in delivering on climate change / water / air / soil /

biodiversity objectives

Obj4.O18: Utilise the Network of Agricultural Colleges to educate the next generation of

farmers in environmentally efficient farming methods

• Strengthening of language around opportunities for role of women in agriculture as

leaders and entrepreneurs

Obj8.O5: Increase opportunities for women in agriculture, including in leadership roles

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Updated figures

• The ongoing revision of figures was required

• The SWOT analysis process began in 2018 and therefore all

figures relating to the years 2017/2018 had to be updated, where

possible, to reflect more recent data e.g. data from 2019/2020

• For example, Obj2.S2 states: “Exports of Irish food, drink and

horticulture were valued at €13 billion in 2020 (compared to €13.2

billion in 2019).” (Bord Bia, Performance and Prospects 2020/21)

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Recent Policy Initiatives

• Roadmaps and policy initiatives were published throughout the

SWOT analysis process (e.g. Ag-Climatise, Remote Working

Strategy, Rural Policy etc.)

• The information, action points and targets included in these

documents required inclusion in the SWOT analysis

• For example, Obj4.O2: “Ag Climatise recommends taking measures

which include replacing 65% of CAN fertilisers with protected urea products

and improving nitrogen-use efficiency through increasing soil pH.”

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Feedback From Ex-Ante Evaluators

• RSM Ireland was commissioned by DAFM to undertake an ex-ante

evaluation of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2021-2027 and

therefore the SWOT analysis.

• They suggested:

Labeling points systematically, e.g. “Obj1.S1, Obj1.S2, Obj1. S3”

Combining similar points to better reflect high-level issues

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Commission Recommendations

• Following the issuing of these recommendations, a

review of the SWOT analysis was required to ensure all

relevant information was included.

• For example, the Commissions document noted that:

“Ireland ranks highly in the Digital Economy and Society

Index 2020”

•This resulted in the inclusion of Obj2.S12 reflecting

Ireland’s high rank in the DESI 2020.

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Overview of Needs Assessment

• 41 Needs identified and prioritised

• Ag Climatise: 10 Needs across 6 objectives references

Actions under Ag Climatise

• Water Framework Directive requirements: Obj5.N2

demonstrates the need to protect and improve water

quality

• Prioritised Action Framework: Obj6.N1 demonstrates the

need to restore and maintain Ireland’s habitats and

landscapes in order to halt biodiversity decline

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Needs under Objectives 1, 2 and 3 • Obj1.N1: Support family farm income and address income disparities between agriculture and other sectors of the

economy; and between agri-food systems

• Obj1.N2: Support farmers facing natural and other constraints to maintain a viable farm income, maintain the

landscape and protect against the abandonment of agricultural land

• Obj1.N3: Encourage farm diversification to improve the resilience of the agri-food sector

• Obj1.N4: Increase awareness of risk management tools and encourage financial planning to improve resilience

• Obj2.N1: Increase efficiency and competitiveness through on farm investment and the adoption of new technologies

• Obj2.N2: Expand and diversify into new markets

• Obj3.N1: Increase primary producers’ share in the value chain

• Obj3.N2: Develop and promote local markets supporting locally produced food, including organic produce

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Needs under Objectives 4, 5 and 6 • Obj4.N1: Reduce Green House Gases (GHG) emissions from agriculture

• Obj4.N2: Improve the protection and management of existing carbon stores, including grasslands and peatlands

• Obj4.N3: Increase the carbon sequestration potential of Ireland’s forests and woodlands

• Obj4.N4: Enhance climate adaptation

• Obj4.N5: Increase energy efficiencies on farm through the uptake of new technologies and the production and use of

renewable energy sources

• Obj5.N1: Improve air quality through the reduction of air pollutants arising from agriculture, particularly ammonia

• Obj5.N2: Protect and improve water quality

• Obj5.N3: Improve soil health

• Obj5.N4: Increase the number of sustainable farming systems that better utilise and protect natural resources.

• Obj6.N1: Restore and maintain Ireland’s habitats and landscapes in order to halt biodiversity decline including farmland

birds and pollinators

• Obj6.N2: Maximise the contribution of forestry including the planting of native trees in appropriate locations,

safeguarding existing biodiverse habitats.

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Objectives 7, 8 and 9 • Obj7.N1: Effective mechanism to increase the numbers of young farmers, including through income support, encourage land mobility and

succession planning

• Obj7.N2: Support young farmers in accessing finance so they are in a better position to invest in and develop their farm enterprise

• Obj7.N3: Provide opportunities and support to businesses and individuals looking to develop rural enterprises

• Obj8.N1: Maximise the opportunities presented by the circular and bio-economy in rural areas

• Obj8.N2: Improve infrastructure and access to services in rural areas including broadband

• Obj8.N3: Support sustainable community development in rural areas, in particular to address environmental and climate challenges

• Obj8.N4: Support the further development of the tourism industry in rural Ireland

• Obj8.N5: Improve on farm safety and increase awareness of the importance of farmer well-being

• Obj8.N6: Increase opportunities for women in agriculture and business development

• Obj9.N1: Increase the share of Utilisable Agricultural Area (UAA) under Organics

• Obj9.N2: Continue improving animal health and welfare standards and increasing awareness of antimicrobial (AMR) and anthelmintic resistance

• Obj9.N3: Support the efficient and environmentally responsible use of pesticides and encourage alternative practises

• Obj9.N4: Promote the consumption of safe, nutritious, sustainable food, (including organics); and increase consumer awareness in relation to the

high animal health and welfare standards

• Obj9.N5: Support the assessment of food loss in primary production systems

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AKIS and General Needs • ObjAKIS.N1: Increase farmers’ and advisors’ understanding of climate change, air quality, water quality,

soil health and biodiversity related challenges and opportunities at farm level

• ObjAKIS.N2: Review education and training courses and advisory services to reflect new challenges and

ambition

• ObjAKIS.N3 Ensure consistency of advice across the advisory services by providing for CPD for advisors

and for primary producers

• ObjAKIS.N4: Continue to provide support for research and innovation in the agri-food sector; and

encourage the application of findings at farm level

• Gen.N1: Improve the collection of data at farm level in order to improve the monitoring of indicators,

demonstrate impact and inform policy

• Gen.N2: Improve cross Government Department policy coherence and implementation

• Gen.N3: Develop a national land use plan

• Gen.N4: Encourage all actors in the agri-food sector to engage with issues relating to sustainable

production, the decline in natural resources and biodiversity, and climate change

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Needs covering Commission Recommendations

1. Assist farmers in capturing a higher share in the value chain

Obj3.N1; Obj3.N2

2. Improve access to finance to allow for greater investment Obj2.N1; Obj7.N2

3. Improve the viability of farms Obj1.N1; Obj1.N2; Obj1.N3; Obj1.N4; Obj8.N1

4. Encourage a move towards more sustainable farming practices Obj4.N2; Obj5.N4

5. Improve nutrient management and reduce nutrient losses Obj4.N1; Obj5.N2; Obj5.N3; ObjAKIS.N4

6. Improve the efficiency of enteric fermentation Obj4.N1; ObjAKIS.N4

7. Halt peatland deterioration and encourage restoration Obj4.N2; Obj6.N1

8. Encourage tree planting Obj4.N3; Obj4.N4; Obj6.N2

9. Increase the area farmed organically Obj9.N1

10. Improve the conservation status of grasslands and heathlands Obj4.N2; Obj6.N1

11. Improve the resilience of the farming sector to climate risks Obj1.N3; Obj1.N4; Obj4.N4; ObjAKIS.N1; ObjAKIS.N3;

ObjAKIS.N4; Gen.N4

12. Improve animal health and welfare Obj9.N2

13. Reduce the use and risks of pesticides Obj9.N3

14. Improve access to land/finance for young farmer Obj7.N1; Obj7.N2

15. Increase social inclusion in rural communities Obj8.N2; Obj8.N3; Obj8.N5; Obj8.N6

16. Develop the bio-economy Obj8.N1

17. Support further integration of the AKIS ObjAKIS.N1; ObjAKIS.N2; ObjAKIS.N3; ObjAKIS.N4

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Discussion Points

1. Have all needs facing agriculture and rural areas being

identified?

2. Do you agree with the prioritisation set out in the Needs

Assessment?

3. Do you agree with the list of ‘interventions for

consideration’ included under each need?

revised swot analysis and needs assessment

Documents