Figures revealed by the Department of Agriculture have shown that only 17 farmers have planted trees under the agroforestry option of its current afforestation scheme, which has been in place since 2015, equating to an average of 2.4 plots being planted per year for the scheme’s duration.

Some 79 agroforestry applications had been received by the Department from the beginning of the current forestry programme in 2015 to 8 February this year, with 49 of these applications approved up to this date, the Department told the Irish Farmers Journal.

A total of 156ha of land is represented by the 79 applications received by the Department. The maximum area eligible under the scheme is 5ha.

Conversion rate

The Department’s figures indicate that the agroforestry afforestation option of the afforestation scheme operates at a conversion rate from licensing to planting of under 35%.

This conversion rate equates to less than half that seen across all afforestation options, according to further details provided by the Department.

Another 29 agroforestry applications are still in various stages of processing, 18 of which were received in 2021.

Payment details

Currently, the scheme allows farmers to avail of € 6,220/ha in establishment funding, as well as a €645/ha premium payable over a five-year period.

Farmers must plant between 400 and 1,000 trees per hectare, protecting the trees from the agricultural activities that take place around them, such as the grazing of sheep or preservation of forage.

Once land is planted under the agroforestry option of the afforestation scheme, it is designated as forestry by the Department and the provisions of forest legislation apply.

A minimum area of 0.5 hectares is required and trees can be planted singly, in groups or in rows, the Department has said.

The planting requirements of the scheme are the same as those for regular afforestation, including all planning and licensing requirements.