Adventurous farmer sought for world's most remote island

Farming life on the world's most isolated islands, Tristan da Cunha. Pictures: NFU

The government of a tiny territory in the South Atlantic, Tristan da Cunha, a place billed as the world’s most isolated island, is seeking an agricultural adviser to help raise productivity on its 1,000-acres of communal land.

A British Overseas Territory, Tristan is more than 1,500 miles away from Saint Helena, its nearest landmass and is only reachable by sailing for seven days across 1,750 miles of ocean, from Cape Town.

A successful adventurous applicant will be charged with boosting the efficiency of the island’s 300-strong herd of cattle and flock of 500 sheep which graze on its pastures.

The position is offered for two years and is dependent on shipping schedules, as access to the island’s harbour only happens 60 days a year.

Candidates must be experienced leaders who have sampled island life before, and can demonstrate an ability to integrate and adapt into the island’s unique community.

The post has been listed on the NFU Job Pages this week.

Alan Brown, head of the online agricultural jobs site, said: “This is the most interesting and unique opportunity that I have seen advertised on NFU Job Pages to date. I hope there is a UK farmer out there who seizes the opportunity to take on this unique challenge and bring a flavour of British farming to the world’s most remote inhabited island.

Gathering up the potato harvest on Tristan da Cunha.

“It is important for the NFU that we provide a broad spectrum of employment opportunities and promotes farming and agriculture as a career which is vital in keeping the industry moving forward. But that said, even I was surprised by this one.”

The position offers a salary, which is negotiable on experience and qualifications, free accommodation and travel, as well as the chance to observe wildlife such as rockhopper penguins and the endangered Yellow Nosed Albatross.

Pastimes on the island include walking and fishing – both from the shore and at sea – and residents are said to be “fun-loving and friendly”.

Perhaps surprisingly, the island has an array of amenities, including a shop, a pub, cafe, dance hall, swimming pool, museum and tourist centre. Three television channels are provided by British Forces Broadcasting Service, the island’s telephone service is said to be good and the island even boasts web access.