Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (Teagasc)

Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority – is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities. It was established in September 1988 under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988.

The organisation is funded by State Grant-in-Aid; fees for research, advisory and training services; income from national and EU competitive research programmes; and revenue from farming activities and commodity levies. Around 75% of Teagasc's yearly budget comes from the Irish exchequer and EU funding with the balance generated from earned income. Some 40% of the budget is devoted to research with the remainder split half and half between advisory and education services.

The 11 member Authority is appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and has representatives from the farming organisations, the food industry, universities, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Teagasc staff.

Teagasc is a client-based organisation employing approximately 1,100 staff at 55 locations throughout Ireland with an annual operating budget in excess of €160 million. We operate in partnership with all sectors of the agriculture and food industry and with rural development agencies. We have developed close alliances with research, advisory and training agencies throughout the world and are continuously seeking to expand our international contacts.

Mandate

The principal functions of Teagasc as outlined in the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988, shall be:

• To provide, or procure the provision of educational, training and advisory services in agriculture, including such educational, training or advisory services in agriculture as may be specified by the Minister for the purpose of giving effect to any directive, regulation or other act adopted by an institution of the European Communities.
• To obtain and make available to the agricultural industry the scientific and practical information in relation to agriculture required by it.
• To undertake, promote, encourage, assist, co-ordinate, facilitate and review agricultural research and development (including research and development in relation to food processing and the food processing industry).

This mandate gives Teagasc responsibility for meeting the knowledge and technology needs of the entire food chain and the authority to integrate research, advice  and education services to deliver the innovation support necessary to add value to Ireland's agri-food sector.Mission

To support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector and wider bioeconomy so as to underpin profitability, competitiveness and sustainability.

Vision

Teagasc wishes to be nationally and internationally recognized as the knowledge provider of choice for Ireland’s agri-food sector.

Statement of Values

We aim to be professional, responsive, efficient, accountable and independent while endeavouring to attain scientific excellence in all our activities and working in partnership with other organisations to meet the needs of our stakeholders.

Teagasc Goals

Teagasc has four goals that are designed to:

• GOAL 1 - Improve the competitiveness of agriculture, food and the wider bioeconomy
• GOAL 2 - Support sustainable farming and the environment
• GOAL 3 - Encourage diversification of the rural economy and enhance the quality of life in rural areas
• GOAL 4 - Enhance organisational capability and deliver value for money