"Faces from the Farm"; Concern Worldwide exhibit at National Ploughing Championship explores what unites farmers around the world

Attendees are asked to match a quote to the photo of farmers from Ireland (Longford, Mayo, Cavan, Tipperary, Cork) and some of the countries that Concern works in, (Pakistan, Kenya, Somaliland, Ukraine, Liberia) to show the shared humanity and difficulties facing farmers working in very different contexts across the world. 

“In the countries and communities Concern works, a large proportion of people depend on agriculture to provide food and a source of income for families. Hearing from Irish farmers we can see that their experiences align in many ways with those of farmers in lower income countries. We understand not only the hardships they’re dealing with, but also the freedom and opportunity that farming brings,” said Georgina Eastaugh, with Concern’s Global Citizenship team. 

The farmers Concern spoke to describe the challenges of the industry, and the community it helps to foster.  Participants may be surprised to find there are many common threads that connect farmers across Ireland and lower income countries, such as respect and care for their animals, the precarious nature of farming amid escalating costs, as well the very real impacts of climate change.

“We constantly follow the global news to see the fuel prices. One of the biggest things that we have noticed is the increasing cost to transport our milk. We pay what we have to, as it’s a point of survival,” said Hinda Abdullahi, a farmer in Somaliland. Hinda helps manage a milk centre in her local village, alongside other women milk vendors. The solar-powered milk centre provides refrigerated storage that helps the women preserve the freshness and quality of their milk.

“The cost of everything is going up. So even if you’re getting more for your cow or your crops, you also have huge utility bills to keep the lights on in the sheds or the water running for the animals,” said Gerry Murphy, a sheep and dairy farmer from Co. Mayo. He’s been farming for over 40 years.

Concern will join GOAL, Trócaire, Dóchas, Self Help Africa, Sightsavers Ireland, Brighter Communities Worldwide and Christian Aid Ireland at the Global Solidarity Hub at Stand 567, Row 29, Block 4. The Hub will provide attendees with a chance to take a journey encompassing agriculture, climate, disability inclusion, sustainability and justice, where they can experience what it is like to live in a range of locations and circumstances around the globe.

For further information contact Eilis Staunton, Media Relations Officer, Concern Worldwide, at eilis.staunton@concern.net or +353 85 872 0720.