“It is an occasion where hundreds of thousands of people gather. Wherever people gather is the place to be and it is what Pope Francis wants us to do – to get out and be out among the people,” says Bishop Fintan Monahan.

The struggle of farmers in Ethiopia is the same as that of rural Ireland in the past says Eddie Downey Irish Farmers Association (IFA) President who has visited the country.

Early results for the dairy farmers involved show a doubling of the milk yield, while the potato trials look set to double potato crop harvests.