Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has announced that over 5,000 farm businesses in Northern Ireland have benefited from £14million funding under the Farm Modernisation Programme (FMP), with a knock-on effect to the wider economy of approximately £35million.
Agriculture Minister Michelle O Neill has highlighted the success of the Farm Modernisation Programme (FMP) as she revealed that more than 5,000 farm business have benefited from 14m in funding, with a knock-on effect to the wider economy in the north to the value of 35m. The Minister visited the farm of Kennedy Watters, in Stewartstown, Co.Tyrone to view the new cattle crush weight platform and sub soiler he purchased from FMP funding. Pictured from left-right are; Kennedy Watters, Minister O Neill, Andrew Kerr of Countryside Services Limited, and Robert Watters.
FMP is delivered for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development by Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership. It aims to contribute to the competitiveness of agricultural and horticultural farm businesses which is achieved by providing financial support to existing farm businesses to improve the overall performance of their farm through modernisation under six key priority investment areas.
They include; the introduction of new technologies and innovation; improved animal health and welfare; increased hygiene control and product storage; enhanced occupational safety and business efficiency; increased energy efficiency; and enhanced environmental status.
Speaking during a visit to the Stewartstown, Co Tyrone farm of Kennedy Watters Minister O’Neill said: “Financial support worth almost £14million through FMP has helped boost the rural economy and has provided more than 5,000 farmers with the opportunity to invest in modern equipment for their farm businesses, enabling them to improve efficiency and performance. This is very positive news for our agri food sector, a sector that despite the downturn has continued to show growth, adding approximately £35million to the wider economy in the north.”
Mr Watters, who farms 200 acres with the assistance of wife Sharon and two sons Ken and Robert, recently purchased new equipment to improve the efficiency of the farm business said: “Thanks to FMP grant aid a weight platform was bought for our cattle crush and has proved invaluable in assessing livestock performance. Another step forward was the grant aided purchase of a sub soiler.
“In Northern Ireland grass is our best crop and cheapest feed so using the sub soiler to improve drainage and grass growth will have a massive impact on our swards. Like all in farming we find time a scarce commodity so we aim to be as efficient as possible given that Ken and Robert are also pursuing off farm careers.”
Looking ahead to the next Rural Development Programme the Minister said: “The Farm Business Improvement Scheme, as outlined in the ‘Going for Growth’ strategic action plan, will be the primary driver behind equipping farmers in the future to achieve further efficiencies, sustainable growth and overall competitiveness.
“My Department is working hard to design an intervention to address key barriers including up-skilling, knowledge transfer, innovation, cooperation, land improvement and actions of informed business planning and investment. This in turn will maximise the potential of our agricultural industry, benefitting the economy and the sustainability of rural communities.”
Andrew Kerr, of Countryside Services Limited, said: “In total £13.83million of FMP grant aid went into the rural economy as a much needed post- recession economic stimulus that encouraged urgently needed investment in farm modernisation.”
(Source – Farming Life – Ruth Rogers – 17/09/2014)