Union welcomes BDG decision

The Ulster Farmers' Union says that the decision to offer all 3,225 eligible applicants who applied to the first tranche of the Business Development Groups (BDG) a place in a local BDG is a great opportunity for farmers to learn from each other by sharing ideas and improving skills in business management, new technologies and innovative ways of working.

“In these challenging times, this new programme will help farmers acquire the skills necessary to help make the best decisions about their businesses,” said UFU Rural Development Chairman Alex Irwin.

“While the scheme assists individual’s business performance, working together in these new groups will bring substantial positive benefits for the industry as a whole. Examples are better technology uptake, greater animal health awareness, improved efficiencies and more investment in the intensive sectors,” he said.

The UFU says it is important that those who were not able to commit to the Business Discussion Groups understand that they have not been forgotten. Farm Family Key Skills (FFKS) training events will deliver short courses in business planning, animal health, health and safety and DARD IT systems and these will be rolled out in the Spring.