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Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

30 schemes tracked

Protein Aid Scheme

The Protein Aid Scheme pays Irish farmers for growing nitrogen-fixing protein crops - beans, peas, lupins, soyabean, and protein/cereal mix crops - which provide environmental benefits and a domestically-produced protein source for animal feed. Payment is a per-hectare rate that varies each year depending on uptake.

Grant range
€250 - €590 per hectare
Funding level
100%
Support type
Grant
Last checked
3 Sept 2026
Start this application on Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's website (opens in a new tab)

About this scheme

The Protein Aid Scheme rewards farmers for growing nitrogen-fixing protein crops — beans, peas, lupins, soyabean, and protein/cereal mix crops — which deliver environmental benefits (reduced need for nitrogen fertiliser) and provide a domestically-produced protein source for animal feed, reducing reliance on imported protein. Payment rates vary from year to year depending on uptake, with protein crops paid at roughly double the rate of the protein/cereal mix crop. To qualify, an applicant must submit a valid BISS and other area-based schemes application declaring farmland within the jurisdiction of Ireland, grow one of the eligible crops, and have it declared on that BISS application; a protein/cereal mix crop must be at least 50% protein crop seed by seeding rate. Protein Aid is applied for as part of the BISS application via agfood.ie, either directly by the farmer or through a Farm Advisory System (FAS) approved advisor.

Who can apply

  • Must submit a valid Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes application, declaring land located within the jurisdiction of Ireland, and apply for Protein Aid as part of it
  • Must grow, and have declared on the BISS application, one of the eligible crops: beans, peas, lupins, soyabean, or a protein/cereal mix crop
  • A Protein/Cereal Mix Crop must have a seed mix where protein crop seed accounts for at least 50% of the seeding rate, with the remainder made up of cereal seed
  • Payment rate for beans, peas, lupins and soya is likely to be in the region of €500-€590 per hectare, varying year to year depending on uptake
  • Payment rate for the protein/cereal mix crop is roughly half that of the main protein crops, likely in the region of €250-€270 per hectare

How to apply

  1. Apply for Protein Aid as part of your Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application — it is not a separate application.
  2. Submit the application yourself, or employ a Farm Advisory System (FAS) approved advisor to submit it on your behalf.
  3. Apply online by logging in or registering at agfood.ie.
  4. Submit by the scheme closing date (stated on the page as midnight, 29 May 2023).
  5. If your login or password has expired, contact the Department's Agfood Online Services Helpdesk to renew it.