The number of applications made by farmers under tranche 3 of new Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) is down by almost 60% when compared with the previous round.

Figures released by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show that 3,802 applications were submitted under tranche 3, compared to 9,110 in tranche 2.

That data provided to Agriland shows that the Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme (FSCIS) was once again the most popular scheme in this latest tranche with 1,055 applications.

However, this is down from the 3,113 applications made under the scheme in tranche 2 and the 2,050 applications submitted in tranche 1.

The Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage Scheme was the second most popular scheme in tranche 3 with 998 applications.

The following table provides a full breakdown of the applications made for each scheme by farmers under all tranches of TAMS 3 to date:

SchemeTranche 1 applicationsTranche 2 applicationsTranche 3 applications
Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage Scheme2,4942,200998
Dairy Equipment Scheme23521789
Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme2,0503,1131,055
Low Emission Slurry Spreading551756318
Organic Capital Investment Scheme928634321
Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme494638
Solar Capital Investment Scheme751738329
Tillage Capital Investment Scheme445444216
Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme259438170
Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme441524268
Total8,2039,1103,802
Source: DAFM

There was a significant fall in numbers applying for the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) in this round at 329, down from 738 in tranche 2.

The number of applications made for the Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) was almost half of what was submitted in tranche 2 (634), at 321.

170 applications were made to the department for the Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, compared to 438 in tranche 2.

There were 89 applications made for the Dairy Equipment Scheme, down from 217 in tranche 2.

While, 216 applications were lodged for the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS) as opposed to 444 in the previous tranche.

TAMS

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue previously announced that all eligible applications under tranche 3 of TAMS 3 will be approved.

The minister also confirmed the closing dates for the remaining tranches of TAMS 3 that will be undertaken in 2024.

Tranche 4 is now open and will close for applications on Friday, September 6, while tranche 5 will close on Friday, December 6, 2024.

“Work is continuing at pace on the approval of tranche 1 and 2 applications, and this will be followed by the processing of this latest significant batch of applications received under tranche 3,” he said.

Since December, the department has approved over 6,800 applications made under tranche 1.

An additional 83 applications were cleared in the week up to Friday, April 19.

This means that 6,813 or 83% out of the total 8,203 applications made under tranche 1 have now been approved.