Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has opened a call for evidence asking farmers and other stakeholders about their experience of on-farm investments supported under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027 and the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), and what new investments should be considered in future to support the shift to more sustainable production.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said the current scheme has proved very successful, receiving more than three times as many applications as its predecessor, with "in excess of €190 million" paid to farmers for investments made since June 2024.

"It is very important that as we move towards a new CAP cycle that we gather evidence and learnings from stakeholders from the current scheme while also bringing a focus to new innovations at farm level," he said. "We will also need to prioritise those investments which give the biggest return in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability."

Submissions are invited on infrastructure for the development, modernisation or climate adaptation of agriculture and land use; on energy and water; and on digital technologies and precision farming, with particular emphasis on farm safety, animal welfare and nutrient management.

"Capital investment on farm plays a critical role" in helping farm families develop their businesses sustainably, Heydon said, urging all stakeholders to respond. The call for evidence opened on September 15 and closes at 5:00pm on Friday, October 30, 2026; details are on the government website under 'Call for Evidence – On-farm Capital Investments'. Joe Griffin reported for Agriland.

Source: Agriland