Approximately 700 new organic farmers will participate in the Organic Farming Scheme next year. Ireland's agri-food strategy, FoodVision 2030, identifies organics as a real diversification opportunity for Irish farmers and organic farming continues to attract substantial numbers.
Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett said:
“There is ongoing investment in the organic sector in Ireland, which has grown at pace over the past four years. Many farmers in Ireland are at stocking rates where they can grow enough grass without buying expensive fertiliser, so converting to organic farming makes business sense as well as bringing environmental benefits. Growing multispecies swards and red clover silage reduces the need for expensive chemical fertilisers and imported concentrates. Huge opportunities also exist for organic farmers to grow arable crops to meet the demand for organic livestock feed and food grade oats, which has more than doubled in the last few years. Organic farming takes a high level of skill and understanding of how healthy soil works, and Irish farmers are well able for this challenge.“
Organic Farmers must be registered with an organic certification body, attend a 25-hour training course in their first year farming organically, submit a BISS application form annually and comply with organic standards. In September of this year, a new National Organic Strategy was launched, and one of its key objectives is to more than treble the value of Irish organic produce, to €750 million, by 2030.
Minister Hackett concluded:
“Over the last number of years we have seen unprecedented growth in organic farming in Ireland. There has been significant government investment in marketing, research and advisory support. We have double the number of young and female farmers compared to those using chemical inputs. In a time when there are issues about generational renewal on farms across the EU this should send a clear message to Irish farmers about where future opportunities lie for them. Teagasc is continuing research next year which will set out blueprints for organic beef and lamb production, and Bord Bia will continue to open markets for Irish organic produce. For those who have not yet converted but who might be considering it, I would encourage them to attend one of the many organic farm walks that will take place next year and see for themselves what they are missing out on. I would like to welcome our new organic farmers and assure all organic farmers that our priority is to ensure the success of the sector as it continues to grow.”
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