As consumer demand for organic food grows in Ireland and Europe, the western region is to be promoted as the State's prime location for the future expansion of organic agri-food production.
The Western Development Commission, which is responsible for promoting the social and economic development of the west, will launch an action plan next week in an effort to target the domestic and overseas market for organic produce.
The strategic plan is contained in a new report, "Blueprint for Organic Agri-Food Production in the West", which is the first comprehensive study of the organic sector carried out in this country.
Backed by extensive research from the National Food Centre, Teagasc and the agricultural economic consultants Cera, the report shows that demand for organic produce is increasing and sets out a plan to enable producers and processors in the western region to capture the maximum share of the market.
However, the plan warns that unless more farmers move to organic production and the output of organic produce increases, higher demand in Ireland will be met by imported food.
The key to success is to increase organic food production and use the increased supply as a foundation to develop innovative value-added food products and meat, the report states.
The preparation of the report has already created an impetus in the public and private sectors to develop organic production in the western region and work is now under way to implement elements of the plan nationally and regionally.
The report will be launched next Monday at the organic agricultural training college at Mountbellew, Co Galway, by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Eamon O Cuiv, who is responsible for the Western Commission.