Welsh organic farming sector to get £3m grant

The organic sector in Wales is due a £3m cash injection next year, Wales deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair on Monday (24 November).

The £3m indicative funding will be available to all eligible farmers with organic certified land for the 2026-27 financial year.

The Welsh government said a combination of environmental, economic and social objectives is driving its commitment to organic support.

See also: Soil Association dismay at static organic area

“Organic farming delivers environmental benefits beyond standard sustainable farming practices,” said Mr Irranca-Davies.

“These include eliminating artificial fertilisers and pesticides, protecting water quality, and building soil health over many years.” 

Organic farming, the Welsh government says, is a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture in Wales, delivering benefits for biodiversity, climate, rural economies and public health.

The financial support is therefore designed to ensure that organic farming remains viable and attractive, particularly as Wales transitions to the new Sustainable Farming Scheme.

The sector also supplies organic produce to Welsh supply chains, supporting rural employment and contributing to the Community Food Strategy.

Organic produce also plays a role in initiatives, including providing locally produced, high-quality vegetables for Welsh school meals.

Industry welcome

NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader, who has converted two acres for an organic vegetable scheme on her farm, welcomed the additional support.

“For those people who’ve already made quite a significant commitment to go organic, they need to get that business security going forward,” she said.

She added it would be down to the next government to make sure that funding continues.

“If this is an ambition for Welsh government, they need put that money down on the table,” she added.

Pembrokeshire organic dairy farmer and Farmers’ Union of Wales deputy president Dai Miles broadly welcomed the announcement.

He said: “It rewards farmers for their organic efforts and for the environmental gain that organic farmers do as part of their standard practices.”