This Government recognises the exceptional pressure that rising input costs are placing on tillage and horticulture producers and has put in place numerous supports for growers.
I recently announced a €100 million income to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers impacted by increased fuel costs. I will announce further details of the scheme shortly.
In addition, the horticulture sector is supported through three separate schemes targeted at commercial growers. In 2025, €15 million in support was provided to commercial horticulture growers. In addition, carbon tax relief applies to natural gas supplied from 1 April 2024 and used for qualifying purposes in horticultural production and mushroom cultivation. Work is ongoing to implement the Key Strategic Actions of the stakeholder-led National Strategy for Horticulture 2023–2027.
I am also providing significant support to growers in 2026 totalling some €50m through the new National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme, the Straw Incorporation Measure and Protein Aid schemes. Funding of €30m for the new National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme is new funding I secured in Budget 2026, with payments under the Scheme being made last month. These supports are delivered alongside the farming for Water EIP, the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme. These schemes will play an important role in underpinning tillage farm incomes and will provide a strong foundation for protecting the future of tillage farming in Ireland.
In addition, a range of further initiatives are being implemented arising from the recommendations in the Food Vision Tillage Report. These are aimed at achieving greater recognition of the sustainability of Irish grain and developing new value-added opportunities across the supply chain, these initiatives are important to ensure the long-term viability of the sector.
I will continue to work with growers and stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability, resilience, and development of the agri-food sector.
