ORGANIC FARMING SCHEME 2021
The Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) is now open. Here you will find information on how to apply. Closing date for Applications is April 30th 2021.
STEP 1
Fill out an application form which you can download by clicking on the orange button below. Next fill out the ORG 1 Form which you will find on the link below the orange box.
STEP 2
Register with the Department by clicking on the orange button below.
DAFM agfood.ie
Once the IOA have received your Application Form and ORG 1 Form we will notify the Department and they will enable you to register via the agfood portal.
Terms and Conditions of the Organic Farming Scheme
The Organic Farming Scheme is operated by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. To read the Terms and Conditions of the scheme CLICK HERE . There is additional information on the DAFM website such as guidelines for applicants on the process.
As part of the Terms and Conditions there is a Selection and Ranking Criteria which you can read below.
OFS Ranking & Selection Criteria
IOA INFORMATION WEBINARS MARCH 31ST AND APRIL 7TH
The IOA hosted Information Webinars on Wednesday March 31st & Wednesday April 7th for farmers interested in applying to join the Organic Farming Scheme. Below are recordings from both sessions broken into two relevant sections.
If you are interested in seeing the recording about the application form please email john.seery@irishoa.ie for details.
ORGANIC CONVERSION PLAN
Part of your application process to convert to organic farming is the inclusion of a conversion plan for your farm. Below you will find information to assist you with drawing up your conversion plan.
Guidelines for an Organic Conversion Plan
ORGANIC PRODUCTION PRINCIPLES COURSE
As part of the terms and conditions of acceptance onto the Organic Farming Scheme farmers must complete a 25 hour Organic Production Principles Course. A certificate of completion must be uploaded on or before April 1st 2022. These courses are offered by various providers around the country. Due to COVID-19 the courses will be online this year.
Teagasc provide this training course, to find out more CLICK HERE. The National Organic Training Skillnet also provide courses and they are running them in March, May and July in 2021, to find out more about NOTS course CLICK HERE.
ORGANIC FARMING SCHEME PAYMENT RATES
The payment rates were revised in 2020 are as follows:
Horticulture Holdings:
| Horticulture Area ≤ 6 hectares (ha) | Horticulture Area > 6ha and up to 60ha | Horticulture Area>60 ha | |
| In conversion | €300/ha | €220/ha | €60/ha |
| Full organic status | €200/ha | €170/ha | €30/ha |
Tillage Holdings: Organic tillage producers, with tillage area of six hectares or more, are eligible for the following payments
| Tillage Area ≤ 20 hectares (ha) | Farmed Area > 20ha and up to 60ha | Farmed Area > 60 ha | |
| In conversion | €260/ha | €220/ha | €60/ha |
| Full organic status | €170/ha | €170/ha | €30/ha |
All Other Holdings:
| Farmed Area of ≥ 3ha up to 60ha | Farmed Area > 60ha | |
| In conversion | €220/ha | €60/ha |
| Full organic status | €170/ha | €30/ha |
Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS)
This is a grand aid scheme that is funded by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. To find out how to apply and the terms and conditions CLICK HERE
