Farmers are scrambling to get potatoes planted during the dry weather spell, hoping to make up for a shortfall caused by the worst rainfall some have experienced in 40 years.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has warned there is a “challenge” in the sector, after announcing a support package at the Fianna Fáil ard fheis offering €100 a hectare to farmers who plant field crops and vegetables this year.

Adverse weather in recent months means consumers are facing a possible rise in the price of potatoes – as well as products such as crisps.

Farmers are playing catch-up and have used the recent spell of drier weather to begin their planting.

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