McIlveen announces opening of second tranche of Business Development Groups

Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced that applications to the Business Development Group (BDG) programme will reopen to dairy and pig farmers on 16 November 2016.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Nov 2016, 15:35 BST
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 16:48 BST

The BDG Programme is one of the Knowledge Transfer schemes which are partly funded through the Rural Development Programme. Applications for this second phase will close at 4pm on 30 November 2016.

Urging all dairy and pig farmers to apply, Michelle McIlveen said: “The last few years have been extremely challenging for many dairy and pig farms with the prolonged period of depressed farm gate prices.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Reopening the BDG Programme to farmers within these sectors will enhance the package of support available from my Department. Both sectors are reliant on high levels of financial investment to maintain their level of efficiency.

“These local development groups are designed to help farmers come together with their peers, to learn about and enhance their knowledge of business management, new technologies and innovative ways of working. I therefore urge our dairy and pig farmers to apply to the BDG Programme.”

To make an application to the Business Development Group Programme between 16 November and 4pm on 30 November 2016 or to find out further information about BDGs visit www.cafre.ac.uk/business-development-groups or call 028 9442 6790 or e-mail [email protected]