The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine has commenced issuing payments under the 2021 Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM).
Minister Charlie McConalogue confirmed today (Wednesday, December 15th), that it will issue almost €8m to 1,800 tillage farmers under the scheme.
SIM payments
In a statement, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, said:
“I am delighted to confirm that payments are now issuing under the 2021 Straw Incorporation Measure.”
“The SIM has proven itself to be a really popular scheme that offers crucial income supports to farmers while also being a positive environmental action. “
He said farmers, who committed to chopping and incorporating straw from cereal crops (wheat, oats, barley, and rye), will receive €250 per hectare.
Meanwhile, the DAFM will pay farmers who committed to oilseeds €150 per hectare.
“Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days,” the minister said.
He said the DAFM introduced the measure in 2021 to support tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels on their enterprise.
“This measure is an important support to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the tillage sector.”
McConalogue said, therefore, he secured additional funding for the Straw Incorporation Measure again in 2022.
Furthermore, he has also proposed to include the Straw Incorporation Measure in the next CAP.
“I know it will continue to be a success,” the minister concluded.
According to the DAFM, the measure’s purpose is to encourage tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating straw from cereal and oilseed crops.
This will sequester carbon in tillage soils, thereby reducing GHG emissions.
The DAFM said the incorporation of straw will also have positive impact on soil biology and soil workability.
“This will further improve the environmental sustainability of the tillage sector.”
€300/ha for tillage farmers
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has commenced issuing payments under the 2021 Protein Aid Scheme.
The scheme supports growing protein crops, including beans, peas and lupins.
The DAFM set the 2021 payment rate at €300/hectare.
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