The National Dairy Council (NDC) is thrilled to announce that Majella McCafferty, Farm Advocacy Manager at NDC, has been selected as one of only four Irish participants in the prestigious 2025 Nuffield Ireland Scholars Program. This highly competitive program is designed to develop world-class leaders in the agri-food sector, with scholars recognized for their outstanding contributions to agriculture both in Ireland and internationally.
Majella’s selection highlights her passion for agriculture, her dedication to the Irish dairy industry, and her potential as a future leader in the field. Nuffield Scholars are recognized globally as ambassadors for agriculture, with past recipients achieving distinction across a wide range of fields.
The Nuffield Scholarship offers Majella the unique opportunity to deepen her understanding of global agricultural practices. Over the next two years, she will travel internationally and participate in a Global Focus Programme (GFP), where she will collaborate with fellow scholars from across the world and conduct her own independent research. Throughout this journey, Majella will share her findings with the Irish agricultural community, offering valuable insights to help shape the future of the sector.
“I am incredibly honoured and thankful to have been selected for this prestigious scholarship,” said Majella. “The research topic I have chosen directly aligns with my role at NDC and addresses critical issues for the wider dairy industry. My study, ‘Evaluating the Dairy Supply Chain: Linking Production Efficiency to Consumer Behaviour and Market Trends’, will focus on analysing how production efficiencies in the dairy sector impact consumer behaviour and market trends. I aim to provide actionable insights that will help industry stakeholders adapt to shifting consumer preferences and dynamic market conditions.”
Majella’s journey as a Nuffield Scholar will officially begin at the Nuffield Annual Conference, taking place at the Mount Wolseley Hotel in Tullow, Co. Carlow in November 2024. There, she will join a global network of over 2,000 Nuffield Scholars, all contributing to a vibrant and dynamic exchange of ideas within agriculture.
As an advocate for Irish agriculture, Majella will use her research and international experience to promote innovation and growth within the sector. She will also be sought after as a speaker, sharing her research findings with agricultural and community groups both in Ireland and abroad.
Nuffield Ireland is renowned for developing leaders who will shape the future of Irish and global agriculture. Their mission is to inspire individuals to cultivate their leadership, confidence, and capacity to drive positive change within the agri-food sector.
For further information, please contact Cathy Curran, National Dairy Council (NDC) | Tel: 086 8777 664 | Email: ccurran@ndc.ie
