First Horticulture Forum meeting launches new schemes for 2026
Horticulture minister Michael Healy-Rae with Paul Brophy (Paul Brophy Produce, Naas) and Con Trass (The Apple Farm, Tipperary).
New horticultural schemes for 2026 were launched at the first Horticulture Industry Forum growers meeting.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, with special responsibility for Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, hosted and co-chaired the meeting for the sector at Backweston Campus.
Opening the event, Mr Healy-Rae reaffirmed his commitment to the sector with the welcome announcement of the opening of the Horticulture Innovation and Diversification Schemes for 2026.
Applications for these schemes can be found on the department website.
During the meeting, growers were given updates from the department, the Irish Farmers’ Association and Bord Bia. Growers also received a presentation on the midterm review of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027, which will be published later this year.
Mr Healy-Rae said: “This meeting marks an important milestone in the implementation of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2026. Tremendous progress has been made in all areas, and I am delighted to say that we are on target to reach a farmgate value of €688m in 2027.”
Mr Healy-Rae welcomed the continued engagement of all stakeholders and growers in the implementation of this strategy, and invited grower feedback on the mid-term review of the strategy through their sector representatives or directly to the department via email.
As part of the implementation of this strategy, the minister also informed growers on the planned establishment of a Horticulture Education Leadership Group and the appointment of a chairperson to take forward the progress that has been achieved under Key Strategic Action 4 on the Review of Horticulture Education.
