“Welcome and embrace change – and the opportunities it can bring you,” Liam DePaor, director of the De Paor Agri-Business and marketing consultancy in Co Cavan, told Harper Adams’ students at an event last Friday (Feb 17th).
De Paor, an honorary member of the Harper Ireland Club, was among invited guests at Harper Ireland Club’s annual dinner event at the Hundred House Hotel in Norton.
The after-dinner speaker shared stories and wisdom from the 25 years of the consultancy and beyond with the students, alumni, family, and friends and emphasised how the students needed to “start driving change right away”.
World population growing
He told attendees: “The world population continues to grow, and as the standard of living improves, families in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East can afford to consume more dairy products and eat more of our grass-fed meat.”
“By 2050, food production will have to increase by 50% to feed the growing world population and to improve the health of the undernourished people in the third world.”
“Indeed, the world’s population is estimated to reach 10 billion by 2050.”
“In this context, what are you students going to do about it? You have only 25 years to meet that challenge and achieve that goal once you graduate. That is only about halfway through your working life.
“So, you guys have to get cracking and get moving quickly,” he told the room.
Despite this challenge, De Paor added that he believed that food and agribusiness graduates from Harper Adams had “sustainable careers in front of them”.
He recalled how, in a similar after-dinner speech, he had heard David Brown, President of the Ulster Farmers Union, highlight how food security is “growing as an issue”.
De Paor added: “The good news for you students is that farmers and ag graduates have a bright long-term future.”
“More people will need more food, and as the standard of living improves worldwide, they can afford to pay for dairy products and meat.”
“The volume and value of food produced are increasing steadily, and there are more and more employment Agribusiness opportunities off-farm.”
“Above all, have the confidence to meet the challenges of change – after all, you are a Harper Adams graduate,” he concluded.
About De Paor
In March 1998, Liam De Paor established his own marketing and recruitment consultancy after holding the position of managing director of Volac Feeds for seven years.
Furthermore, his career included employment with two co-operatives in Tipperary and Galway as technical advisor and general manager and was also a director of Roscrea Bacon factory.
De Paor is a former chairman of the mid-west branch and served on the national council of the Irish Marketing Institute.
As previously reported by That’s Farming in this news article, he received a Harper Adams tie from Mrs Bríd Rodgers, president of the Harper Adams in Ireland association, to denote his acceptance of honorary membership of Harper Adams in Ireland Graduate’s Association.
Liam and his colleagues work with an independent team of professionals, including an award-winning copywriter, a talented designer, and a nationwide team of specialist photographers.
The business helps clients optimise the marketing of products/services and recruit the best agri-business management, sales, and technical personnel.
The firm also represents the PR interests of clients at exhibitions in Britain and Ireland.
In addition, they have undertaken work with Irish and multinational clients in various sectors, including agri-food business, charities, construction and property, commercial publications and consultancy firms, equipment and machinery, IT, public service, professional and trade associations.
Other activities include advice on customer relationships, event management, public and business representations, market research, specialist training/recruitment, sponsorship arrangements and social media management advice.
