Minister Heydon issues a €3 million call for proposals for the further promotion and development of the organic sector
Small farmer business. Organic home grown produce.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has issued a call for proposals to promote and develop the organic sector.
In making the announcement, the minister highlighted that the funding will be aimed at innovative projects that would help enhance and expand the organic sector.
“I am announcing €3 million in funding, over the next three years, for innovative projects to promote and develop the organic sector," said Minister Heydon.
"Organic farming has grown significantly in the last few years, and I am committed to supporting its further development, in order to meet our targets in the CAP Strategic Plan and increase returns to producers," he added.
Minister Heydon went on to comment that attracting the next generation of farmers "is crucial" to securing the future of Irish agriculture.
He also said that organics can be "a real, viable option for younger farmers".
"This call is an opportunity to support those already in the sector and to help attract more in the future," he said.
"The call for the period 2025-2027 is open until March 7," he added.
Applications to the scheme can be made to the to the organic policy unit within the Department.
Minister Heydon said the purpose of the call is to support delivery of the vision of the National Organic Strategy.
According to Ministe Heydon the strategy is aimed at growing a highly productive organic food sector "to secure a viable future for farmers while supporting the health of the natural environment and consumers".
In conclusion Minister Heydon said he is focused in ensuring organic farmers and others within the food sector remain competitive and productive.
“My focus is on ensuring that organic farmers, fishers and food producers are competitive, productive and innovative," he said.
"The incomes of our producers are central and critical to the success of our FoodVision 2030 strategy, and they are the bedrock of our world-class organic agri-food sector," he added.
He went on to comment: "The opening of this call underlines the Government's commitment to delivering a premium price for organic product, and to ensuring that we meet the target in our National Organic Strategy of more than trebling the value of organic output by 2030.”
