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19 June 2026

Organic Tillage and Vegetables EIP project showcased at Wicklow farm walk

Organic Tillage and Vegetables EIP project showcased at Wicklow farm walk

An Organic Tillage and Vegetables Open Day took place on 18 June 2026 at the farm of Tommy Delahunt, Ballinaclogh, County Wicklow. The event marked the official launch of the Organic Tillage and Vegetables EIP project, a farmer-led initiative focused on developing practical solutions for weed management, machinery sharing and sustainable organic crop production.

This €1.5 million project showcases integrated, practical measures to support organic farming and sustainable weed and vegetation management. It brings together organic tillage and vegetable growers, Teagasc specialists, researchers, and industry partners to test and demonstrate mechanical weeding, crop establishment systems, machinery sharing, and collaborative production under Irish conditions.

Pictured launching the project (L to R): John Hendrick, Organic Tillage & Vegetables Project Coordinator; Niamh Redmond, EIP Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Martin Bourke, Organic Tillage & Vegetables Project Leader and Organic Tillage Specialist, Teagasc; Tracy O’Donoghue, EIP Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Brian McGee, Principal Officer, Organics, Market Support and Locally Led Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Pictured launching the project (L to R): John Hendrick, Organic Tillage & Vegetables Project Coordinator; Niamh Redmond, EIP Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Martin Bourke, Organic Tillage & Vegetables Project Leader and Organic Tillage Specialist, Teagasc; Tracy O’Donoghue, EIP Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Brian McGee, Principal Officer, Organics, Market Support and Locally Led Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Speaking at the farm walk, Teagasc Organic Tillage specialist Martin Bourke said: “A key aim is to improve access to specialist weeding equipment and to develop systems that can work across different farm sizes, crop types, and growing conditions. The project is also looking at how better weed control can support crop diversification, improve labour efficiency, and create new opportunities for organic tillage and vegetable growers working together.”

The Organic Tillage and Vegetables EIP project is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the European Union.

Further details of the project are available in the open day booklet

This publication provides an overview of the project. It also highlights the machinery and technologies demonstrated on the day, including precision weed control equipment, camera-guided and autonomous weeding systems, biofilm crop establishment technology, and robotic weed management solutions.