Eleven projects focused on the theme of "environmental sustainability" have secured new funding worth €17.8 million, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed today (Friday, May 9).

According to DAFM the projects secured the funding under under the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) under the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

EIP projects are usually locally-led schemes which are designed and implemented by "collaborative groups" which could include farmers, scientists, ecologists and other experts to deliver specific goals.

These projects aim to "road test" new ideas and practices which can then be adopted by farmers to "improve productivity and enhance resource efficiency".

The new 11 projects will run for periods of between four and five years and cover a broad range of topics across a wide geographical region and specifically focus on "upscaling environmentally sustainable solutions to challenges faced by farmers".

These projects, include one from Regen Ireland, that aims to support dairy, beef, sheep and tillage farmers across the country "transition to regenerative agriculture", this will be supported with funding totaling €1,756,600.

Other projects include one that will promote the "adoption of innovative mechanical and thermal weed control technology on organic farms" which has received €1,562,461 in funding and one that aims to "connect old and new farming technologies to conserve the unique species-rich karst grassland of County Roscommon" which has secured grant funding of €1,600,000.

The South West Mayo Development Company has also received €1,749,481 to "develop, demonstrate and then replicate management and restoration actions in a commonage context".

Another project, 'titled Upper Erne Separate Our Slurry, Save Our Soil EIP' has also received €1,669,259 to "address critical challenges associated with slurry management in the Erne Catchment area".

The EIP initiative is co-funded by the European Commission and also the Irish government under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.