Land under organic production in Ireland represents around 4% of total agricultural land.
Getting more people into Organic Farming is the aim of a scheme which is opening to new applicants today.
The Department of Agriculture initiative now offers a yearly participation payment of €2,000 in the first year, and €1,400 per annum after.
The scheme is set to close on Friday the 8th of December.
There are now approximately 180,000 hectares under organic production in Ireland, representing 4% of total agricultural land.
Junior Agriculture Minister and Offaly Green Party Senator, Pippa Hackett, says the amount of interest in organic farming in Ireland is unprecedented: