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Talamh Beo proposes a Basic Income for Local Food Farmers as a straightforward, fair and implementable income support mechanism. This proposal has two main pillars: the institutional recognition of Local Food Farms, and targeted income support of a Basic Income for Local Food Farmers of €350 per week. As outlined, with an indicative reference cohort of 600 recipients, the net cost per annum would be €8.3 million, approximately 0.4% of DAFM’s current €1.98 billion expenditure allocation.
Local Food Farmers play an important role in Ireland’s food system, strengthening our Food Sovereignty by supplying fresh food to domestic markets while contributing to a broad range of environmental, social and economic outcomes, such as employment, local economies, biodiversity, education and rural cohesion. However, this critical sector has remained largely invisible to the government and inadequately supported and so this new policy proposal aims to stimulate the growth of the Local Food Farm sector in Irish Agriculture.
Local Food Farms generate multiple social, economic and environmental benefits. Increasing domestic food production reduces dependence on imported food, keeps more economic value circulating within local communities and strengthens Ireland’s capacity to respond to future supply chain disruptions. There is huge room for growth in this sector, while reconnecting land, people and communties. Local Food Farms:
Talamh Beo has developed a robust criteria to use as a tool in the assessment of candidates for this basic income proposal. A summary is as follows:
Through 2025 and 2026, Talamh Beo conducted in-depth primary research of Ireland’s Local Food Farms – a sector that has remained largely invisible to government and inadequately supported.
As part of this work we:
When asked what supports would help them feel hopeful and secure about their future:
This work was part of an IEN funded project entitled ‘Strengthening Local Food Economies’.
If we want thriving local food systems, we need to guarantee a fair income for Local Food Farmers, but many Local Food Farms are overlooked by the current subsidy system. As voiced by farmers in our research, a Basic Income for Local Food Farmers would:
Talamh Beo proposes a Basic Income for Local Food Farmers as a straightforward, fair and implementable income support mechanism.
Read our full policy proposal here.
We advocate, lobby & campaign for a better set of policy supports for the sector.
Read our policy proposal overview document here.
Through research, surveys & interviews we are building a clearer picture to what the current Local Food Farm landscape looks like in Ireland. Click here to view our live & growing map of Food Farmers involved in supplying local markets.
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Local Food Farms play an important role in Ireland’s food system, supplying fresh food to domestic markets while contributing to a broad range of environmental, social and economic outcomes. Operating across horticulture, livestock, mixed farming and other diversified enterprises, Local Food Farmers strengthen local food security through shorter supply chains, generate rural employment, support local economies and contribute to biodiversity, healthier soils, education and community resilience. Their work generates significant public value that extends well beyond food production alone.
Supporting Local Food Farmers is therefore an investment in national resilience. Increasing domestic food production reduces dependence on imported food, keeps more economic value circulating within local communities and strengthens Ireland’s capacity to respond to future supply chain disruptions.
Ireland already possesses a diverse, entrepreneurial and growing Local Food Farm sector. The challenge is not a lack of demand for local food or a lack of ambition among producers, but creating the conditions that allow this sector to realise its full potential.
