Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has announced the start of 2024 balancing payments under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS).

Over 81% (3,961) of farmers in the OFS are receiving their balancing payments this week, which amount to around €6.98 million, the minister said.

"The timely processing of payments is a key priority for my department. I know how crucial payments are to farm families and I am pleased that this year’s payments are being made a full month earlier than they issued in 2024," Minister Heydon commented.

Approximately 1,000 extra farmers are receiving balancing payments compared to last year. Payments will be in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

"My department will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria," the minister said.

There are now approximately 5,500 organic farmers in Ireland, farming an estimated 248,000ha.

The number of organic ewes has trebled in the last three years and the number of organic suckler cows has doubled.

Demand for Irish organic oats continues to outstrip supply and "highlights the ongoing opportunities in organic farming", according to the department.

Farmers are also being reminded that those who commenced farming organically in 2025 have to complete a 25-hour training course "as soon as possible".

All participants must have this course completed before they are eligible to receive payment.

Minister Heydon commented: "The European Commission’s Vision for Agriculture and Food, which prioritises generational renewal, aligns with our own Food Vision 2030 strategy in identifying organic farming as an opportunity for young farmers and a way to attract the next generation of skilled Irish farmers into our sector.

"This is one of the most important tasks we face and must be a priority in shaping our policy for the future," he added.

* This article was updated on May 2, 2025, after the department corrected the earlier information it had provided