On the 150th edition of the Teagasc Signpost webinar series, Professor Frank O Mara, Director of Teagasc outlined the technology pathway that Irish agriculture and Irish farmers should follow to achieve the required reductions in Greenhouse gas emissions, and the steps to take to sequester more carbon from the atmosphere.
Professor O’Mara spoke about the Teagasc Climate Action Strategy which the organisation is pursuing to put the three key pillars in place to assist the sector in making the journey towards a 25% reduction in emissions. He provided an update on the Signpost Advisory Programme and the staff resources being put in place with the aim of delivering 50,000 plans for farmers by 2030. He spoke about the development of a Sustainability Digital Platform, in partnership with ICBF and Bord Bia, to provide farmers with an indication of the climate performance of their farm business. The third pillar which involves a Virtual Climate Research Centre, is bringing together the combined resources of Teagasc to develop the mitigation technologies of the future which will be required to further reduce the footprint of the sector.
Professor O’Mara’s presentation marked the 150th edition of the Teagasc Weekly Environment Webinar Series, the Signposts series, which takes place weekly every Friday morning at 9.30am. The Signpost Series is presented in association with Dairy Sustainability Ireland, Food Drink Ireland Skillnet and the National Rural Network. To date the series has gone from strength to strength and has broadcast weekly episodes covering topics such as climate change, biodiversity, soil health, nutrient management and water quality.
The series has attracted a total audience to date of 50,871 viewers with some weekly attendances in excess of 400. Recordings and podcasts of all the webinars are available on the Teagasc website at https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change–air-quality/the-signpost-series-webinars/ .
Pat Murphy, Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc said; “The series has attracted audiences from across all sectors in Ireland together with a large international following. It has showcased the practical tangible steps being taken by farmers, advisors, researchers, policy makers and industry to maintain and improve the natural environment in which the agriculture and food sector operates.”
Mark Gibson, Head of KT Outreach and Innovation Department, Teagasc said; “The Friday morning Signposts series was one of the first Teagasc responses to find new ways of transferring knowledge to people in the sector, in the wake of the upheaval caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. I would like to thank our partners, presenters and facilitators and of course our many viewers and listeners over the last 3 years.”
To stay up to date with the latest policy, research and practice on Farm Sustainability, register for free at www.teagasc.ie/sustainableagriculture and tune in every Friday morning at 9.30am to 10.30am.
Source: EMM/ Agriculture and food department authoriy