
A dream job has come up for the farmer who wants to get away from it all - as an agricultural adviser on the world's remotest inhabited island.

The government of Tristan da Cunha, a UK Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, is advertising for an adviser with farming experience in the UK to help develop livestock and agriculture.

There is just one village - Edinburgh of the Seven Seas - on the wildlife-rich volcanic island, home to 265 people who are keen to cut down their dependence on imported food.

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A dream job has come up for the farmer who wants to get away from it all - as an agricultural adviser on the world's remotest inhabited island

The government of Tristan da Cunha, a UK Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, is advertising for an adviser with farming experience in the UK to help develop livestock and agriculture

The vast distances that must be travelled to get to Tristan da Cunha, which lays claim to being the most remote inhabited island in the world

Tristan da Cunha was discovered in 1506 but remained uninhabited until the late 1700s when it was used by US whalers.

Following this, the British navy had a garrison there during Napoleon's exile on St Helena. When the garrison was withdrawn, three men stayed behind and became the founders of the present settlement.

Historically, the island has proven an important stop for sailing ships needing a stopover in the Atlantic, and was annexed by the UK in 1816 to ensure the French couldn't use it as a base to attempt a rescue of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was imprisoned at Saint Helena.

According to Tristan da Cunha's official website the island 'was ignored by early explorers as a possible home due to its rugged mountain landscape, absence of natural harbour, lack of land for agriculture, and a harsh climate with heavy rain and high winds at all seasons.

'It took an extra-ordinary breed of people, ready to live at the margins of life, to settle and eventually thrive in the world's most isolated community.'

The village, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, was named after the visit of the first Duke of Edinburgh in the 1800s, but is referred to as The Settlement by its less than 300 locals

The job advert on the National Farmers' Union website says: 'The island has approximately 1,000 acres of poor grazing land for 300 cattle and 500 sheep.

'The community produces potatoes in family-run allotments, but intend to harvest fruits, vegetables and other crops to reduce its reliance on imported foodstuffs.'

The successful applicant should be able to demonstrate expertise gained in the UK in areas including modern medication for livestock, arable crop rotation, creating and managing orchards, developing operations for growing legumes in greenhouses, and maintaining sheep and beef and dairy herds.

The island's economy is based on subsistence farming and fishing, with an income from royalties from commercial lobster fishing, selling of postage stamps and coins and some tourism.

It is not without amenities. The government website describes the island as 'far from the madding crowd', but the village boasts facilities including a school, churches, supermarket, pub, cafe, hospital, museum and tourist centre.

The successful applicant should be able to demonstrate expertise gained in the UK in areas including modern medication for livestock, arable crop rotation, creating and managing orchards, developing operations for growing legumes in greenhouses, and maintaining sheep and beef and dairy herds

The territory is looking for someone who will train current agricultural staff, has experience of island life and who will fit into the island's unique community

Long voyage: A sign shows the remarkable lengths one must go to get to Tristan, including 5,337 miles to London

It even has a golf course, although players are warned it doubles up as cattle pasture, has the buildings for the scientific monitoring station and is strewn with volcanic rocks.

The territory is looking for someone who will train current agricultural staff, has experience of island life and who will fit into the island's unique community.

According to Judith Schalansky's book Atlas Of Remote Islands, Tristan da Cunha comprises of nine core families who exchange food with the policy that everyone is equal and everything is shared.

Alan Brown, head of jobs.nfuonline.com, said: 'This is the most interesting and unique opportunity that I have seen advertised on NFU job pages to date.

The island even has a golf course and internet cafe, although players are warned it doubles up as cattle pasture, is home to scientific monitoring station buildings and is strewn with volcanic rocks

The government website describes the island as 'far from the madding crowd', but the village boasts facilities including a school, churches, supermarket, pub, cafe, hospital, museum tourist centre and even a graveyard

The job, which comes with free accommodation and travel and a salary dependent on experience, would be for two years - subject to the shipping schedule, which this year will see just nine trips to Tristan da Cunha from South Africa

'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.

'It is important for the NFU that we provide a broad spectrum of employment opportunities and promote farming and agriculture as a career which is vital in keeping the industry moving forward.

'But that said, with 30 years of advertising and recruitment, even I was surprised by this one!'

The job, which comes with free accommodation and travel and a salary dependent on experience, would be for two years - subject to the shipping schedule, which this year will see just nine trips to Tristan da Cunha from South Africa.

A HISTORY OF TRISTAN DA CUNHA Tristan da Cunha was discovered in 1506 but remained uninhabited until the late 1700s when it was used by US whalers Tristan da Cunha was discovered in 1506 but remained uninhabited until the late 1700s when it was used by US whalers. Following this, the British navy had a garrison there during Napoleon's exile on St Helena. When the garrison was withdrawn, three men stayed behind and became the founders of the present settlement. Historically, the island has proven an important stop for sailing ships needing a stopover in the Atlantic, and was annexed by the UK in 1816 to ensure the French couldn't use it as a base to attempt a rescue of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was imprisoned at Saint Helena. According to Tristan da Cunha's official website the island 'was ignored by early explorers as a possible home due to its rugged mountain landscape, absence of natural harbour, lack of land for agriculture, and a harsh climate with heavy rain and high winds at all seasons. 'It took an extra-ordinary breed of people, ready to live at the margins of life, to settle and eventually thrive in the world's most isolated community.' The Settlement was named in honour of the 1867 visit of Queen Victoria's son Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, when the islands served as a Royal Navy outpost called HMS Atlantic Isle. Prince Phillip, the second Duke of Edinburgh, also visited there on board the royal yacht Britannia in 1957. Just four years later, the entire population was forced to evacuate to England via Cape Town when Queen Mary's Peak erupted. Fortunately, the damage to the settlement was found to be minimal and most residents returned in 1963. Television arrived on the island only in 2001, and because it has no airport, it is only accessible by boat. Ships from Cape Town service the island a handful of times every year. Advertisement

Local social haunts include the cafe and the Albatross Bar, which by virtue of being on Tristan is one of the world’s most isolated pubs

The island's economy is based on subsistence farming and fishing, with an income from royalties from commercial lobster fishing, selling of postage stamps and coins and some tourism