Minister announces programme to help modernise farm businesses

DARD Reporter
15 January 2009

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA today announced her intention to open the Farm Modernisation Programme on 28 January 2009 with funding of £15.25 million.

Speaking in the Assembly the Minister said: “This will be welcome news at the end of what has been a very difficult period for all sectors of the agriculture and horticulture industries.

“The Farm Modernisation Programme will contribute to improving the competitiveness and economic performance of farm businesses in the North. Funded by the NI Rural Development Programme 2007-13 (NIRDP) under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the programme will provide financial support for farm businesses to invest in new technologies to modernise their holdings. The items eligible for support have been drawn up by my Department in conjunction with representatives of the farming unions.”

The Farm Modernisation Programme will offer up to £5,000 financial support to enable farm businesses to purchase a wide range of plant, machinery and equipment from a pre-defined list of eligible items. Alternatively, financial support of up to £10,000 will be available for a limited list of advanced slurry handling equipment under a sub-programme to be known as the Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme (METS). Farm businesses can apply for financial support of 40 percent of the purchase cost of these items up to the maximum amount allowable for each item.

Applications will be received from 17 February 2009. Eligible applications for funding will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Applications received before this date will not be eligible for financial support.

The Farm Modernisation Programme, worth £15.25 million (including administration costs) will be funded under Axis 1 Measure 3 (Modernisation of Agricultural Holdings) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-13. The programme will receive funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Investment Strategy NI.

Information packs will be available from 9 am, 28 January 2009 on the DARD Website and from the following DARD offices.

Kilpatrick House
38-54 High Street
BALLYMENA
BT43 6DT
Telephone: (028) 25662862

Glenree House
Carnbane Industrial Estate
NEWRY
BT35 6EF
Telephone: (028) 30253200

Rathkeltair House
Market St
DOWNPATRICK
BT30 6LZ
Telephone: (028) 44612211

Armagh
2 Newry Road
ARMAGH
BT60 1EN
Telephone: (028) 37515600

Crown Buildings
Artillery Rd
COLERAINE
BT79 7AQ
Telephone: (028) 70341111

Inishkeen House
Killyhevlin Industrial Estate
ENNISKILLEN
BT74 4EJ
Telephone: (028) 66325004

Crown Buildings
Thomas Street
DUNGANNON
BT70 1HR
Telephone: (028) 87754777

Sperrin House
Sedan Avenue
OMAGH
BT79 7AQ
Telephone: (028) 82251020