Fancy a job on the world's remotest island?

Farming's not known for being the most sociable job in the world - but for those that really want to get away from it all, there's a rather unusual opportunity going.

The government of Tristan da Cunha – the world's remotest inhabited island – is looking for an agricultural adviser to help make the most of its poor land.

The tiny British overseas territory lies midway between Africa and South America, and is more than 1,500 miles from its nearest neighbour, Saint Helena. It is accessible only by sea, with just nine boats making the seven-day journey to South Africa each year.

Tristan da Cunha has just 1,000 acres of grazing land, home to 300 cattle and 500 sheep, and even this is described in the ad as poor. Apart from this, the locals grow potatoes, but are hoping that their new adviser will help them broaden their repertoire.

The successful applicant will need to be an all-rounder, with experience of artificial insemination and medication for the island's livestock, as well as arable crop rotation.

They'll also need to be able to create and manage orchards, and tend to greenhouse vegetables.
%VIRTUAL-ArticleSidebar-jobs-guide%
The salary for the job is negotiable - but there won't be many places to spend it, with the island boasting only one village, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, and a population of 265 people.

But, says the ad, "The island people are fun loving, friendly, kind and generous and it is possible to enjoy a lively social life."

"This is an opportunity to work in a unique community where you will have a chance to make a real and immediate difference."

The village has a pub, cafe, dance hall, swimming pool and museum, while the shop sells most essential items. There are three television channels provided by British Forces Broadcasting Service, and there's a good telephone service and internet access.

"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," says Alan Brown, head of NFU Job Pages, where the ad appears.

"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!"