Dublin, Ireland
May 16, 2006
Organic farming – A feasible option
There is potential to
increase the area under organic farming in Ireland to meet
the increased demand for organic produce. Less than 1% of
agricultural land in Ireland is farmed organically, but
additional REPS payments combined with premium prices make
it a feasible option for farmers.
Teagasc in association
with the Department of Agriculture are organising a series
of 15 Organic Farm walks over the summer. The first farm
walk will be held on Stuart Kingston’s farm, at
Forrest
House, Farnanes, Co. Cork on Tuesday 23rd May at
7.00 p.m. Stuart farms 60hectares (150 acres), producing
cereals and running a weanling to beef enterprise on the
grassland area.
Organic
Farming researcher at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Ger Shortle
said “The
aim is to give as many people as possible direct access to
successful organic producers. A well run organic farm can be
feasible in the current climate, as it will comply with good
farming practice, and when the additional REPS payments are
combined with premium prices there is potential for good
profits.”
He said
“payments to convert a farm to organic production are
available and are worth approximately two thirds extra, in
addition to the basic REPS payments, over the five years of
the plan. On a 55ha farm the extra organic payments would
amount to approximately €7,000 per year, or €35,000 over
five years.”
“Organic
food is a niche market but a rapidly growing one. Bord Bia
studies show growth in the Irish organic food market, and
estimate it was worth €66 million in 2004. Most organic
produce attracts a price premium, and it represents a
significant addition to income on organic farms,” said Ger
Shortle.
The 15
farms which are hosting the farm walks represent the full
range of organic enterprises in Ireland covering vegetables,
fruit, cereals, beef, sheep, poultry, dairying and pigs.
The latest
information on organic production from Teagasc and the
Department of Agriculture and Food will be available at the
open days listed below.
In other
European countries this way of farming is much more popular
and has grown in response to the increasing consumer demand.
Just 0.7% of agricultural land in Ireland is farmed
organically, compared to 4.4% in the UK, while in countries
like Italy, Austria, Sweden, Finland and Denmark it ranges
between 6% and 13.5% of farm land. There is, therefore,
potential for growth in the sector in Ireland.
Complete
schedule of organic farm walks:
Dates for
Demonstrations on Organic Farms
Teagasc/Department of
Agriculture and Food
|
Organic
Demonstration Farm |
Enterprise |
Date |
|
Stuart Kingston
Forrest
House, Farnanes, Co. Cork. |
Tillage,
Beef. |
Tuesday 23rd
May
7.00 p.m. |
|
Patrick Mulrooney
Manganstown,
Kilsheelan, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. |
Dairying |
Tuesday 13th
June
7.00 p.m. |
|
County Wexford Organic Centre
c/o Patrick
Roche, Cushinstown, Foulksmills, Co. Wexford. |
Vegetables,
Fruit |
Saturday
24th June
2.00 p.m. |
|
John McDonnell
Shalvanstown, Rathkenny, Slane, Co. Meath. |
Suckling,
Tillage |
Saturday 1st
July
2.00 p.m. |
|
Johnstown Castle
Research Centre
Wexford, Co. Wexford |
Beef
Research |
Tuesday 4th
July
7.00 p.m. |
|
Dominic Leonard
Castlewood
House, Durrow, Co. Laois. |
Beef,
Suckling, tillage, pigs, sheep |
Wednesday
5th July 7.00 p.m. |
|
Ernest Mackey|
Ballinclea,
Donard, Co. Wicklow. |
Suckling,Sheep, Environment |
Saturday 8th
July
2.00 p.m. |
|
Philip Dreaper
Coolnagrower, Fortal, Birr, Co. Offaly. |
Field scale
vegetable |
Tuesday
11th July
2.00 p.m. |
|
James Mulhall
Coolanowle,
Ballickmoyler, Co. Carlow. |
Dairying,
Beef, Tillage, Sheep (direct sales) |
Tuesday 11th
July
7.00 p.m. |
|
Mellows Organic Farm
Athenry, Co.
Galway |
Dairying,Tillage, sheep |
Wednesday
12th July 7.00 p.m. |
|
Jason Horner
Leen,
Rathclooney, Crusheen, Co. Clare. |
Vegetable
Production |
Saturday
15th July
2.00 p.m. |
|
Ben & Charlotte Colchester
Drumeen, The
Islands, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny |
Sucklers,Poultry, Tillage |
Thursday
20th July
2.00 p.m. |
|
David Notley
Aughamore
Organic Farm, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. |
Sucklers,
Sheep |
Saturday
22nd July
2.00 p.m. |
|
Pat McCormack
Glanquin,
Coolnaboy, Ennis, Co. Clare. |
Sucklers,
Sheep |
Tuesday 8th
August
7.00 p.m. |
|
Jeremiah & Nora Flynn
Craughmore,
Firies, Farrenfore, Co. Kerry. |
Sucklers,
horticulture |
Wednesday
16th August
7.00 p.m. |
|
