The Ulster Farmers Union has welcomed the announcement by agriculture minister Michelle O’Neill to open the first phase of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme (FBIS) next month. The first phase of the scheme will see the creation of business development groups for farmers.
Commenting on the announcement, UFU deputy president Barclay Bell said farmers will be pleased to hear that the application process will soon open. “Farm business development groups are a great way for farmers to learn from other farmers and share ideas. The groups will be a forum for farmers to keep up-to-date with all the latest technology,” he said. Mr Bell added that the groups will create an opportunity for farmers to be guided by a training facilitator to help improve their businesses. “This is all about the best use of education, knowledge sharing and skills,” he said.
The UFU will be backing the development of these new groups, recognising the benefits they could bring for the industry. “Farmers who choose to participate in these groups are demonstrating an appetite to learn and share information with other farmers. This will benefit everyone in the group by helping them adapt to the changing needs of the industry in the years ahead,” said Mr. Bell.
(Source – Impartial Reporter – Brian Donaldson – 01/10/2015)
Late October Start For New Development Groups For Farmers
Business Development Groups – DARD
Background to Business Development Groups
Knowledge transfer through Business Development Groups (BDG) is a new scheme which will be funded through the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme. The scheme will use a group approach to improve the technical efficiency of farm businesses and will also offer participants the opportunity to gain a level 3 qualification.
How will Business Development Groups work?
Discussion groups have been used throughout the world, in all agricultural sectors, as a way to improve farm business performance. They provide a forum for peer learning, sharing ideas and an opportunity to keep up-to-date with new technology.
Each BDG will comprise of 15 – 20 like-minded farmers who will meet up to 8 times a year to focus on the topics agreed by the group. The group will be facilitated by a CAFRE Development Advisor and activities will include on-farm meetings, demonstrations and skills training.
Farmers participating in the scheme will benchmark their business to identify areas that have the potential to be improved. A business development plan will be created to identify the actions to be taken to improve the technical efficiency of the business and improve the sustainability of the farm.
As participants work to improve the efficiency of their businesses, they will be awarded credits that will build towards gaining a level 3 qualification.
What are the benefits to Farmers?
- A clear development plan for your business.
- Improve your profitability.
- Keep up to date with the latest technologies.
- Access to a CAFRE Development Adviser.
- Option to gain a qualification.
- Meet with like-minded individuals.
How to Apply
Applications will open in the autumn and forms will be accessible on both the DARD website – www.dardni.gov.uk, and the CAFRE website www.cafre.ac.uk
(Source – DARDNI Website – http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/rural-development/rdp/business-development-groups.htm)