Plan needed to reflect tillage growth potential - IGGG
Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG) chairman, Bobby Miller, has confirmed to Agriland that the work of the Food Vision Tillage Group will continue.
The Food Vision Tillage Group was established by then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, in May 2023, to set a roadmap for growth and development for the sector.
Miller explained, “Our next meeting is scheduled for May. The upside is that government has re-affirmed its commitment to the tillage sector.
“However, it is disappointing to note that additional assistance will not be made available to growers prior to announcements that may or may not be included in the 2026 Budget.
“The scope does exist to push ahead with another tillage expansion scheme this year.”
The IGGG representative believes the onus is now on the entire tillage sector to come up with a comprehensive plan that will fully reflect the industry’s significant growth potential for the future.
He said, “This will require the active engagement of all stakeholder groups. Both the main government parties committed to delivering an extra €60M for tillage over the lifetime of the new administration.
“It’s now up to the tillage sector to develop a plan which allow for the full investment of these monies.”
Miller continued, “And this can be achieved. The members of the vision group have worked extremely hard to bring forward new ideas that meet the needs of tillage farmers into the future."
Meanwhile, Miller has welcomed the confirmation from Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, that the €100/ha tillage support payments committed to in the 2025 Budget will arrive in farmers’ bank accounts imminently.
“The Baling Assistance Payments will be made available at the same time,” he continued.
IGGG will host its 2025 annual general meeting on Friday of this week (February 14) at 10:00a.m at Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
Minister Heydon will address the event.
Miller said, “Our membership continues to grow. And our work to communicate an effective message on behalf of Irish tillage farmers continues apace. The need for an organisation that delivers."
Friday’s meeting will see Miller stepping down as IGGG chairman. However, he will remain the organisation’s representative on the Food Vision Tillage Group.
The identity of the new IGGG chairman will not be confirmed prior to the AGM.
