13 May 2025
New European Innovation Partnership project funding for Teagasc
Teagasc is one of a number of organisations to have been awarded funding for the implementation of new European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects, focused on the theme of environmental sustainability.
EIPs are locally-led, collaborative projects which involve farmers trialling actions on farms to ensure practical outcomes and learnings that can easily be upscaled and shared. The projects are implemented by collaborative Operational Groups, involving farmers, scientists, ecologists and other experts, to deliver on specific goals.
Funding for which was recently announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D., from which two Teagasc applications were successful.
Through this funding, Teagasc Organic Specialist, Martin Bourke has been awarded funding for the ‘Organic, Tillage and Vegetables Integrated Weed Management’ project, which will trial and promote the adoption of innovative mechanical and thermal weed control technology on organic farms.
Additionally, Teagasc Crops Specialist, Ciaran Collins has been awarded funding for the ‘Soilcycle’ project. This project is dedicated to transforming nutrient management within Ireland’s tillage sector by advocating for the strategic in-crop application of organic manures. By integrating principles of the circular economy, the project enhances soil health, optimises nutrient efficiency, reduces reliance on chemical fertilisers and mitigates nitrogen losses to water bodies.
Making the announcement on May 9, Minister Heydon said that €17.8 million has been allocated to eleven new projects under the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) measure of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, adding: “The eleven projects selected address the theme of environmental sustainability in the farming sector, and will run for periods of between four and five years.
“Covering a broad range of topics and displaying a wide geographical spread, these projects are a clear demonstration of the willingness among farmers and the wider community to co-operate in dealing with environmental challenges on farms at a local level.”
Minister Heydon added: “I look forward to engaging on these projects as they proceed over the coming years, and to seeing how they will help to inform future policy development and to address key departmental priorities in the areas of soil health, regenerative and sustainable agriculture, organic farming, and the circular and bioeconomy.”