Grants scheme launched to encourage farmers to go organic
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Tom Hayes announced details of the Organic Farming Scheme during a visit to organic meat processor John Purcell in Golden, Co Tipperary.
Co-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the programme offers increased rates of aid to organic farmers during the conversion process and also when they are fully established.
Mr Hayes said at the organic farm of Mr Purcell’s Good Herdsmen business that the initiative, which is open to applications from interested farmers, is a “key support measure” to help participants avail of the growing market opportunities for organic food.
“My job,” the minister said, “is to encourage farmers to avail of these opportunities and by doing so, maximise their potential income.”
Organic farmers also qualify for priority access into Glas, the new agri-environment scheme.
The Organic Farming Scheme is an agri-environment measure under the Department’s Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020.
Farmers enter into a contract for a minimum of five years, with standard rate payments of up to €220 per hectare a year during the conversion period and up to €170 per hectare when they have achieved full organic status. Higher payment rates are available for organic horticultural and tillage farmers. Applications for the new scheme must be made online, but there will be no requirement to use an agricultural adviser to make the applications, unless farmers want to go down that route.
Closing date for applications is May 29.
DISCOVER MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS
DISCOVER MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS
