The Organic Farming Scheme is now open for farmers to apply, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has announced.
It will remain open until Friday 12 December, with tillage farmers receiving priority access.
The Minister allocated €58.6m in Budget 2026 to provide for a continuation of financial support to organic farmers and encourage the production of organic foods.
However, this funding was down from the €67m allocation in Budget 2025.
Over the last five years, the number of farmers in the Organic Farming Scheme has increased by 221% to 5,500, according to Minister Heydon.
“I had the opportunity to address the Organic Strategy Forum earlier this year and spoke of the growth happening in the organic tillage sector. There is strong demand for organic oats, led by the UK market, with growing interest from international markets, including east Asia,” he said.
Feed survey
The Department of Agriculture has previously highlighted the need for organic feed through a feed survey with results showing consistent growth regarding demand for organic feed of all types to meet requirements for winter feeding.
“We know that the success of organic farming depends on the people on the ground, the custodians of our rural landscape. In cooperation with the organic control bodies, farming families and our wider rural communities, organics is now a viable and rewarding option for young farmers to enter the sector, as well for conventional farmers trying to diversify. Huge opportunities exist for organic farmers to grow arable crops to meet the demand for organic livestock feed and food grade oats," Minister Heydon said.
SHARING OPTIONS