Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
193. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers participating in organic farming schemes in each county; the change in participation levels over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44225/26]
View answerThe number of farmers in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) by county is as follows:
|
County |
Number of Farmers (2026) |
|
Carlow |
50 |
|
Cavan |
293 |
|
Clare |
316 |
|
Cork |
541 |
|
Donegal |
521 |
|
Dublin |
21 |
|
Galway |
436 |
|
Kerry |
421 |
|
Kildare |
88 |
|
Kilkenny |
83 |
|
Laois |
80 |
|
Leitrim |
282 |
|
Limerick |
203 |
|
Longford |
110 |
|
Louth |
31 |
|
Mayo |
472 |
|
Meath |
108 |
|
Monaghan |
83 |
|
Offaly |
114 |
|
Roscommon |
439 |
|
Sligo |
229 |
|
Tipperary |
221 |
|
Waterford |
65 |
|
Westmeath |
138 |
|
Wexford |
106 |
|
Wicklow |
121 |
|
Total |
5572 |
The total number of new participants accepted each year into the Organic Farming Scheme is as follows:
|
Year |
No. of New Participants |
|
2023 |
1800 |
|
2024 |
942 |
|
2025 |
570 |
|
2026 |
260 |
Organic farming is acknowledged within the EU as delivering a high level of environmental performance, contributing to soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In Budget 2026 I allocated €58.6 million for OFS to support farmers in the production of organic food.
