Irish farmers urged to grow more crops in response to Ukraine war
The Government is hoping a new multi-million scheme, announced on Thursday, will ensure the co-operation of farmers.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Farmers in Ireland are being urged grow more barley, oats and wheat in the wake of the war in Ukraine.
The Government is hoping a new multi-million euro scheme, launched on Thursday, will ensure the backing of farmers in the bid to boost crop production.
The 10 million euro (£8.5 million) scheme was quickly put together by the Department of Agriculture, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine fuelled concerns about the stability and security of grain imports to Ireland.
Both Ukraine and Russia are major sources of wheat and other cereals.
The Irish Government last week approved a 12 million euro (£10 million) package for tillage farmers, which the tillage scheme a key part of the measures agreed.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said that the Government had moved quickly to encourage farmers to grow more crops.
“The Tillage Incentive Scheme aims to support farmers to grow more tillage crops in 2022, to reduce Ireland’s dependency on imported feed material,” he said.
“We have acted quickly to put this package in place and I am grateful to my Department and everyone in the sector for working so hard to deliver it.”
He said that the 10 million euro budget “reflects a contribution towards the increase in the cost of growing crops in 2022″.
Farmers have already been hit by the growing cost fertiliser, with already-high prices pushed higher still by the war.
In Ireland, growers had said that meeting more ambitious targets would be a challenge.
The scheme closes on May 16 2022.
Mr McConalogue stated: “I urge farmers to take account of the Tillage Incentive Scheme when deciding on crops to sow in the coming days and weeks.”