Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has today (Tuesday, March 31) announced that payments for year two of the Knowledge Transfer Programme have commenced.

Payments to the value of €3.16 million have issued in respect of 4,613 participants for year two of the programme.

The Knowledge Transfer Programme is part of Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

It is a three-year programme, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is delivered by a network of approved knowledge transfer facilitators, with farmers participating in the programme.

Knowledge transfer

Minister Heydon said that these year two payments are commencing "on schedule and in line with our commitment in the Farmers Charter".

"The Knowledge Transfer Programme is not just about financial support, it is about bringing farmers together; to exchange ideas, learn from one another and take a joined-up approach to agricultural advancement," the minister said.

"This programme is central to helping farmers develop the skills and knowledge to meet real challenges - sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness.

"But it goes beyond the farm gate. It’s an investment in people, and the result is a stronger, more connected farming community.”

Payments to farmers 

Given the structure of the programme, payments to participants are now commencing, with payments for facilitators to commence mid-year.

It is an EU regulatory requirement that the payment for farmers in knowledge transfer groups must be paid to farmers via the facilitator of their group.

Thus, individual farmer or participant payments will issue to the facilitator who will then pass this payment to the farmer.

Where a farmer has met all the requirements of year two (2025) of the programme, the payment is €750.  

Year three of the programme is currently underway and Minister Heydon has reminded participants they must attend at least eight meetings and have their one-to-one meeting completed by December 31, 2026.

The minister has also reminded facilitators to ensure they hold the correct number and types of meetings, and to upload appropriate documentation on time.