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 announcement of a new National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme.
Funding of €30 million has been allocated in Budget 2026 for a new tillage support scheme. The scheme will provide a degressive per-hectare payment to farmers who declared cereal and oilseed rape crops under their 2025 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based applications.
Eligible crops include barley, wheat, oats, rye, triticale and oilseed rape.
Online applications can be made via the My AgFood portal, with the scheme closing for applications on 9 March. Payments are expected to commence issuing before the end of March.
Minister Canney said: “Tillage farmers have experienced sustained pressure in recent years – following two particularly difficult years in 2023 and 2024, and more recently a challenging market situation with downward price pressure internationally. This €30 million scheme provides targeted support at a critical time in the season.
The tillage sector plays a vital role in food security and is one of the most carbon-efficient sectors in Irish agriculture. This funding underlines the Government’s commitment to sustaining and growing the sector in line with Programme for Government commitments and the recommendations of the Food Vision Tillage Group.”
Farmers with queries can contact the Direct Payments Helpline on 057 8674422 or email [email protected].
The following payment rates will apply:
- €110 per hectare for holdings between >1ha and ≤100ha
- €90 per hectare for >100ha and ≤125ha
- €70 per hectare for >125ha and ≤150ha
- €50 per hectare for >150ha
