Press release
McConalogue announces opening of the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, today announced that the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), is now open for applications.
Minister McConalogue said:
“I am delighted to launch the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme which is an important support for the tillage and potato sectors. This scheme will assist tillage farmers seeking to invest in reducing inputs such as pesticides and fertilisers, maintaining soil quality through minimum cultivation techniques while supporting the maintenance of tillage as a land use in Ireland.
“Tillage farmers may also avail of relevant investments in the other TAMS 3 schemes, such as slurry storage and LESS equipment.”
It is the seventh of 10 schemes to open under the new TAMS 3, following the successful launch of the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme, the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme, the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme and the Dairy Equipment Scheme.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of and his commitment to the sector, including the recent establishment of the Food Vision Tillage group under Matt Dempsey:
"The tillage sector is an important and integral component of the agri-food industry making a significant contribution to overall agricultural output. It is a sector I firmly believe in and is a sector that I want to see grow and develop further. The importance of the sector is underpinned by the Food Vision 2030 strategy and the Climate Action Plan 2023 where a target is set out to increase the area in tillage to 400,000 by 2030 and I look forward to the report of the group in due course.
“The Tillage Capital Investment Scheme is one of several measures I have introduced to support the sustainable growth of this critical sector. Other supports and schemes introduced include the Tillage Incentive Scheme, the Straw Incorporation Measure, more than doubling of Protein Aid supports to €7 million and specific tillage supports under the new Agri-Environmental Scheme (ACRES).”
The Tillage Capital Investment Scheme opens on 23rd May 2023. The remaining three TAMS schemes will open on a phased basis during Tranche 1 which is expected to close on 16 June.
Finally, the Minister added:
“In addition to the wide range of investment available, in particular supporting precision farming systems, there is also a wide range of potato handling, planting and harvesting equipment included for the first time, with the aim of helping to develop the seed potato sector in Ireland."
The objectives of the Scheme are to:
A detailed list of the eligible investments is detailed at Annex B of the scheme Terms and Conditions.
All Department Structural Specifications and notices relevant to this Scheme can be accessed on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website at: TAMS - Farm Building and Structures Specifications.
The main investment areas for the Tillage scheme are:
Grain Storage; Rainwater Harvesting; GPS Machinery Control; Sprayers (GPS controlled only); Fertiliser Spreaders (GPS controlled only); Minimum disturbance tillage (PTO driven equipment not permitted); Pesticide reduction; Grain treatment Equipment; Potato Harvesting equipment; Potato Haulm Toppers; Combine Attachments; Crop Handling equipment; Potato Planting equipment; Potato handling equipment; Potato Storage.
Queries of a technical nature relating to the specifications should be submitted by email to the following email address tams@agriculture.gov.ie
Annex G lists the contact phone numbers for technical queries.
Grant aid will not be paid for (a) second-hand materials or equipment or (b) ex-demo or (c) work carried out by contractors who do not comply with the tax clearance requirements laid down in paragraph 10 of the scheme.
Only fixed investments constructed/erected/installed on eligible land are eligible for grant aid.