Business Development Groups opening for applications

CAFRE has announced that the successful Business Development Groups (BDG) scheme will reopen for applications on Monday 18 November 2019 at 10.00am.

The Business Development Groups scheme will reopen at 10.00am on Monday 18 November 2019 and close on Friday 24 January 2020.

Applications must be submitted by 4pm on 24 January 2020

Many farm businesses have benefitted from participating in the BDG scheme since its launch in 2015. The scheme is designed to bring small groups of farmers together locally, to enhance their knowledge of business management, new technologies and innovative ways of working.

New for this year is the addition of an Environmental Farming option alongside all other agriculture sectors. This new option will provide farmers and growers with the opportunity to discuss how they can bring about environmental benefits by managing their land to enhance biodiversity, water quality and air quality.

Farmers who may not have applied for previous schemes are encouraged to apply when the application window opens this month

For further information on the Business Development Groups scheme visit the CAFRE website, telephone 028 9442 6790 or e-mail kt.admin@daera-ni.gov.uk

Knowledge Transfer through Business Development Groups (BDG) is a scheme partly funded by the EU through the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Environmental Farming option has been added to bring benefits to the countryside through environmental land management.
2. College of Agriculture Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is responsible for the delivery of the Knowledge Transfer, Innovation and Cooperation – Business Development Groups.
3. The Business Development Groups Scheme is part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
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