The Agricultural Institute is delivering positive change across all sectors in Northern Ireland

Chairman of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NIIAS), Jim Freeburn, acknowledged the key role the organization plays in delivering positive change across all farming sectors.

Freeburn said: “We want to base the future on this. NIIAS members have traditionally advocated for the highest standards of business proficiency and technological advancement in all aspects of agriculture and food.

“NIIAS was founded 62 years ago to meet this need – it is a core priority for the organization that will not change.”

Freeburn made the comments during a visit to this year’s Balmoral Show. He was joined by the institute’s executive secretary Louise Millsopp and treasurer Steven Millar.

The organization represents the professional interests of agricultural graduates working in Northern Ireland and those with comparable tertiary qualifications.

Members are involved in agriculture, research and development, technology transfer, government policymaking, education, agricultural consultancy, finance, agri-food businesses and relevant commercial and support sectors.

“Our current membership is 140 – we want to increase that number in the future,” Millsopp said.

Like many comparable organizations, NIIAS has suffered from face-to-face activities as a direct consequence of the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have spent the last several years rebuilding our structures and gaining real momentum in terms of delivering services to our entire membership,” Freeburn added.

A positive change

Millar believes that NIIAS plays a key role on many levels for its entire membership.

The Treasurer said: “Providing opportunities to share knowledge and information through our program of visits and seminars is one of our priorities as it contributes to the professional development of our members.

“We need to be at the forefront and provide our members with new learning and training opportunities.

“NIIAS is also a key forum for debate and discussion on all the key and topical issues currently affecting agriculture and food.”

Stevenson added: “NIIAS provides members with a unique networking opportunity as it brings together a wide range of professionals working across a range of agri-food sectors and businesses.

“This aspect of the organization is especially helpful and beneficial to younger members.”

Freeburn is particularly aware of the need to continually expand NIIAS membership.

“Acquiring new members is now an absolute priority. Our current age profile reflects a generation of members with extensive experience in agricultural development over recent years.

“However, we need more new members with fresh ideas and enthusiasm to take us into the future with the required momentum,” he said.

The NIIAS President continued: “Agriculture is at the heart of the global response to future food security and climate change.

“As a result, the opportunities now open to NIIAS members are enormous.”