Farmers' desire to change vital for organics

"The reality is that to persuade enough farmers to make the switch, organics has to be a viable financial option for farm families."

Minister of state at the Department of Agriculture Pippa Hackett is an organic beef and sheep farmer and says she has seen the benefits on her farm, from the ‘soil quality and biodiversity’ to the ‘wellbeing of my family’.

Farmers “who want to embrace change” are needed to convert to organic production, minister of state at the Department of Agriculture Pippa Hackett has said.

With the closing date for new applicants to the Organic Farming Scheme approaching, Ms Hackett said she is “determined to do everything” she can to meet Ireland’s target of 7.5% utilisable land under organic production by 2027.