Ireland’s area of organic farmland has increased by 35% over the past two years. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue explained that an additional 12,000 hectares were organically cultivated in 2021. This figure is expected to increase by another 17,000 hectares, taking into account those who applied this year to switch to organic cultivation.
The increase in organic production has gone from 74,000 hectares to about 110,000 hectares. This represents about 13% of the expansion from 74,000 hectares to 335,000 hectares (7.5% of Ireland’s agricultural area) sought in the Climate Action Plan launched last November and in the current government programme. The achievement of this target is expected to contribute to approximately 5% of the emission reduction for agriculture under the Climate Action Plan.