Local Farmers Reminded That BDG Deadline Is Looming
Farmers have been reminded that the deadline to apply to join a Business Development Group (BDG) is this coming Monday, December 14.
DARD Minister Michelle O’Neill has urged farmers and growers to sign up to a BDG which she said had the potential to help farmers improve their business decisions, in relation to future investment, technical improvements, efficiency savings and succession planning.
“This is the first in a series of RDP schemes that aim to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of local farm businesses.
“Farmers should look forward to these opening for applications in 2016,” she said.
The key aim of the BDG scheme is to help farmers improve their technical and business efficiency.
Participating farmers will also have the option to gain a Level 3 qualification.
Working in groups encourages farmers to learn from each other and gain an insight into how other farmers tackle problems.
BDGs will be made up of 15-20 like-minded farmers from the same sector, who will work to improve the technical and business efficiency of their farm with the support of their group and their CAFRE Development Adviser.
Group members will be required to attend at least six training events per year. They will receive a payment of up to £490 per year to cover the cost of travel and to replace labour during training events.
They must also be willing to share farm performance information with other group members and host a group training event on their farm, which will attract additional funding.
Closing date is 4pm on Monday. For further information visit cafre.ac.uk, call 028 9442 6770 or e-mail developmentservice.admin@dardni.gov.uk.
Source: ulsterherald.com
