Minister Canney welcomes €29.1 million support for tillage farmers
Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the rollout of €29.1 million in payments to over 8,500 tillage farmers under the National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme.
The payments are now beginning to issue and will provide timely support to farmers as they prepare for the season ahead.
Welcoming the funding, Minister Canney said: “This is a very important support for tillage farmers at a time when the sector continues to face real pressure from rising costs and market uncertainty.
“Tillage farming plays a vital role in our rural economy and in the overall sustainability of our agri-food sector. These payments will give farmers some certainty and help them plan for the months ahead.
“Supports like this are essential if we are to maintain and grow the tillage sector into the future.”
The scheme, funded under Budget 2025, provides targeted financial support to farmers growing key crops including barley, wheat, oats, rye, triticale and oilseed rape. Payments are made on a degressive basis, with higher rates for smaller and medium-sized holdings.
Minister Canney added: “This Government is committed to backing our farmers and ensuring that sectors like tillage remain viable and sustainable. This scheme is an important part of that commitment and reflects the need to support those who are producing high-quality food while managing costs and environmental challenges.”
Payments will begin to appear in farmers’ bank accounts over the coming days.
Farmers with queries can contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Direct Payments Helpline at 057 8674422 or by email at tillage@agriculture.gov.ie.
Notes to Editors
Payment Rates (per hectare):
|
Eligible Area (ha) |
Payment Rate |
|
>1 ha up to 100 ha |
€110 |
|
>100 ha up to 125 ha |
€90 |
|
>125 ha up to 150 ha |
€70 |
|
>150 ha |
€50 |