Minister Hackett announces additional €1.5 million to reopen Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme
- Published on: 13 May 2024
- Last updated on: 16 April 2025
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, today announced the reopening of the Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme (OPIG). This tranche of the scheme has a budget of €1.5 million to support investments in the Irish organic processing sector. This brings to €3 million the grant aid available to organic processors in 2024.
Announcing the scheme, Minister Hackett said:
“Earlier this year I opened OPIG with a new higher 60% grant rate and a budget of €1.5 million. Due to unprecedented demand, I am now delighted to announce a further €1.5 million is being made available for the scheme. Following the publication of The Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027 the State now has a target to purchase 10% organic when procuring food. We need to make sure as much of this as possible is Irish organic food."
Minister Hackett continued:
“I know from talking to processors that there is significant interest in the OPIG scheme, which will open on 14 May and remain open until 14 June. This scheme, along with the ongoing work of Bord Bia and the entire sector demonstrates to organic farmers that we are making every effort to ensure there will be strong demand for their produce in both domestic and international markets. There is a growing momentum behind organic farming, with an additional 1000 farmers making the decision this year to farm organically, meaning we now have over 5,000 organic farmers in Ireland. We want to ensure that a market premium is obtained for organic output. Investing in our processing sector, which allows organic processors to increase efficiencies and capacity, is key to this. And for any farmer actively considering converting to organics, or if you are curious about what is involved, I would strongly encourage you to attend an organic farm walk this summer."
The OPIG scheme provides funding to processors who wish to invest in developing facilities for the processing, preparation, grading, packing and storage of organic products.
Notes
The OPIG Scheme will open in tranches; this tranche being open from 14 May to 14 June 2024. Copies of the terms and conditions of the Grant Scheme, together with application forms, are available from the Organics and Market Supports Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Wexford and on the department’s website at: Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme: Terms and conditions.
This organic support scheme is financed from the National Exchequer.
Applications to be received by post or email on or before 14 June 2024.
Information on the Green Public Procurement Action Plan is available at: Green Public Procurement.
Details of upcoming “Growing Organics” farm walks are available at: Farm walks.