Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced €2.85 million in funding for five new projects under the European Innovation Partnership (EIP), aimed at enhancing the future of Irish farming. These projects, which fall under the themes of Generational Renewal and Digital Technology, will play a key role in advancing Ireland’s agricultural landscape through innovation and technology.
Supporting Generational Renewal and Digital Transformation
Of the five projects, three focus on Generational Renewal, a priority theme for the Government, while two projects will address the promotion of digital technologies on farms. The funding aligns with the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which seeks to modernise Irish agriculture and promote sustainability.
Minister Heydon remarked, “I am delighted to announce the allocation of €2.85 million to drive innovation in generational renewal and digital technology on Irish farms. The Commission on Generational Renewal is set to report its findings in June, and the digital technologies initiative is designed to foster the greater use of tools to support evidence-based decision-making.”
EIP’s Collaborative Approach
The EIP model is a collaborative, locally-led funding mechanism that ensures farmers are involved in every stage of project implementation. This approach is designed to produce practical solutions that can be easily scaled and adopted across other farms. Minister Heydon highlighted the importance of EIPs as a tool to address local challenges and drive innovation at the grassroots level.
Looking Ahead
The Minister expressed his enthusiasm for the rollout of the projects, stating that he looks forward to seeing the operational groups succeed and sharing progress updates as these projects unfold. The aim is to enhance farm productivity, sustainability, and the long-term viability of farming in Ireland.
For further details, applications, and updates, stakeholders are encouraged to follow the progress of these vital projects under the EIP initiative.
WFP Picture Martin Heydon Irl Mnstr for Agric and WFP Director Cindy Mccain by Rein Skullerud
