McConalogue announces opening of the Woman Farmers’ Capital Investment Scheme under TAMS 3

The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) scheme provides funding for capital investments on farms and will be in place for five years with a budget of €370m.

The Woman Farmer Capital Investment Scheme opened on 21st June 2023. Tranche 1 for all ten TAMS 3 schemes is scheduled to close 30th June 2023.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., announced the launch of the Woman Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, which is the tenth and final scheme to open under the new Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3).

Minister McConalogue said, “Gender equality is a priority for my Department, as well as being a cross-cutting objective of the current CAP, so I am delighted to announce the launch of the TAMS 3 Woman Farmers’ Capital Investment Scheme.

“This is an important support to women farmers in the industry and offers a higher grant aid rate at 60% for those qualifying. The scheme includes investment items for dairy, beef, sheep, pig, poultry and tillage enterprises.

Minister Hackett added: “As a female farmer, I am delighted to see the launch of the TAMS 3 Woman Farmers Capital investment Scheme.

“This is the first time that a capital investment scheme in the agriculture sector has been directed to primarily support women farmers. I am confident that there will be a broad uptake of the scheme.

Minister Heydon said: “Women have always been central to farm enterprises across the generations, but often in roles that are not visible or sufficiently recognised.

Objective

The objective of the Scheme is to provide an incentive to women farmers to upgrade their agricultural buildings and equipment by providing them with an increased level of support to meet the considerable capital costs associated with the establishment of their enterprises.

To promote gender equality, employment, growth, generational renewal, social inclusion and local development in rural areas by supporting the participation of women in farming.

“Access to land in Ireland is quite limited with transfers primarily arising through inheritance. This new incentive for women will encourage farmers to consider female relatives as a successor or partner in the farm enterprise.

To improve competitiveness and contribute to the improvement of agricultural incomes.This Scheme is one of a suite of innovative measures included to improve gender equality in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan.