The closing date for key schemes in the horticulture sector are fast approaching.

The Horticulture Innovation and Diversification Schemes will close to applications on Friday (January 23).

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the objective of these schemes is to support innovation and diversification among primary producers in the sector.

The scheme was launched on November 12 by Minister of State with responsibility for horticulture Michael Healy-Rae.

Speaking when he launched the scheme, the minister said: "The opening of the 2026 Horticulture Innovation and Diversification Schemes demonstrates government's commitment to the...sector and the vision for it."

The minister announced the opening of the scheme while hosting and co-chairing a meeting of the Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF), which focussed on growers in the sector.

The minister said at the time: "The HIF meetings are important for the sector, and I wanted Irish horticultural growers to see first-hand how the forum operates and to enable them to meet directly with their sectoral representatives."

That meeting also saw a presentation on the midterm review of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027.

Minister Healy-Rae said after the meeting: "Tremendous progress has been made in all areas, and I am delighted to say that we are on target to reach a farmgate value of €688 million in 2027."

The minister also informed growers of the planned establishment of the Horticulture Education Leadership Group (HELG) and the appointment of a chairperson to take forward the progress under the Review of Horticulture Education.

Horticulture education

The Review of Horticulture Education report was launched in May.

That report includes a number of recommendations, including the establishment of the HELG committee.

This committee would be tasked with assisting with reviews of horticultural educational content at all levels.

That committee would also be tasked with preparing material that can be used by education providers and industry stakeholders to promote and market the sector as an attractive and rewarding career.

The HELG committee would also be tasked with working on an all-island basis to share information on horticulture promotion.