Less than a fifth of all farmers are under the age of 35, while more than half are over 55, it emerged today.
The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) revealed only 18 per cent are under 35 and 55 per cent over 55 as it called for more incentives to attract young people into the industry.
IFA president Padraig Walshe told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food the industry was asset-rich but income-poor leading to greater numbers farming only on a part-time basis.
The average farm size is only 33 hectares (81 acres) and provides an average income of about €16,000.
"Farming is still by far the biggest and most important industry in rural Ireland ... it supports 20 per cent of all jobs outside the public sector. With the right policies and support, farming can adapt and develop, and will continue to make a major contribution to modern Ireland," said Mr Walshe.
Clare South TD Sean O'Fearghail (FF) said the age of farmers was worrying. "I do not know many farmers in my constituency encouraging their children to look at a future in agriculture whether full-time or part-time," he said.
"No job is easy. Farming isn't going to be easy in the future but there's a livelihood to be made in it and it's a damn good way of life."
Mr Walshe told the committee he needed their support to tackle a number of key issues including farm consolidation tax relief, land leasing initiatives, investment schemes and import standards and labelling.
He said: "Irish farmers must meet the highest food safety, traceability and animal health and welfare standards in the world. It is totally unacceptable that food imports from countries with much lower standards are allowed to undermine our products in the EU market."
In response to the abrupt end of the sugar beet industry in Ireland, Mr Walshe announced the launch of a new project team specifically to promote alternative land uses including bio-energy production and the growing of energy crops.
Mr Walshe was appearing as Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan was launching a new action plan for the agri-food sector. She said consumer orientation and farm consolidation were central to the future of the sector.
She announced 166 "specific actions" to be implemented in the near future as part of the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan.