Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae TD, today hosted and co-chaired a Horticulture Industry Forum grower meeting for the sector at Backweston Campus.
Welcoming a large turnout of horticultural growers to this open meeting of the Horticulture Industry Forum, the Minister commented:
“I am delighted to host the first Horticulture Industry Forum growers meeting since the HIF was established in 2014. The HIF meetings are important for the sector, and I wanted Irish horticultural growers to see first-hand how the forum operates and to
enable them to meet directly with their sectoral representatives. This meeting allows growers share their experience on challenges and opportunities for their business.”
The Minister added:
“Today is about active networking, engagement and discussion on real issues, as well as providing an opportunity to engage directly with my Department and other players in the sector.”
Opening the event, the Minister reaffirmed his commitment to the sector with the welcome announcement of the opening of the Horticulture Innovation and Diversification Schemes for 2026.
The Minister stated:
“My Department, in collaboration with stakeholders, continues to drive the vision set out in the National Horticulture Strategy for a more profitable, value-added sector driven by sustainability and innovation. The opening of the 2026 Horticulture Innovation and Diversification Schemes demonstrates Government’s commitment to the horticulture sector and the vision for it.”
During the meeting, growers were given updates from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Irish Farmers’ Association and Bord Bia. Growers also received a presentation on the midterm review of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 which will be published later this year.
The Minister also noted:
“This meeting marks an important milestone in the implementation of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2026. Tremendous progress has been made in all areas, and I am delighted to say that we are on target to reach a farmgate value of €688 million in 2027.”
The Minister welcomed the continued engagement of all stakeholders and growers in the implementation of this strategy and invited grower feedback on the mid-term review of the strategy through their sector representatives or direct to the Department by email to horticulturestrategy@agriculture.gov.ie.
As part of the implementation of this Strategy, the Minister also informed growers on the planned establishment of a Horticulture Education Leadership Group (HELG) and the appointment of a chairperson to take forward the excellent progress that has been achieved under Key Strategic Action 4 on the Review of Horticulture Education.
Concluding the meeting, the Minister thanked growers, stakeholders and sector representatives for attending and for their engagement and positive dialogue during the event.
Notes for Editor:
Horticulture Innovation and Diversification Schemes for 2026 Application Forms and the Schemes Terms and Conditions are available online.
Applications can also be requested via email to: horticulturegrants@agriculture.gov.ie.
Link to the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027
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