Donegal has the highest number of new organic farmers in the country

Some 138 farmers in Donegal have joined the Organic Farming Scheme this year, bringing the total to 437 in Donegal and 5000 across the country.

“We have a tripling of the area being farmed organically in Ireland since 2020 and Donegal is top of the leader board for new organic farmers,” senator Pauline O'Reilly, Green Party candidate for Europe in the region said.

“These are really significant milestones, and they show that the organic sector in Ireland continues to grow at a significant pace. Many farmers in Ireland are at stocking rates where they can easily replace expensive chemical fertiliser and imported concentrates with multispecies grass and red clover. It takes a high level of skill and understanding of how healthy soil works to trust yourself to farm organically, and Irish farmers are well able for this challenge.”

Michael White, Donegal Greens said: "Donegal farmers are top of the leader board when it comes to entering the organic scheme in 2024. I would encourage farmers considering a move to join one of the many farm walks that have been planned by the Department of Agriculture to see if it is something that would work for them."