Seeds of change

The Republic of Ireland is the land of the plenty when it comes to fresh produce, with potatoes, mushrooms, strawberries, carrots and leafy salads being produced in abundance. But as the younger generation of entrepreneurs and long-running traditional firms strive to take the industry forward with innovative marketing and product development, issues such as aggressive tactics, economic unrest and rising costs are proving a challenge. Elizabeth O’Keefe reports from the leading growing area of North County Dublin.