Minister visits exemplar environmentally sustainable dairy farm
Date published:
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has highlighted how practical, farmer led innovation partnerships can help Northern Ireland farms reduce emissions while remaining productive and profitable, during a visit to an environmentally sustainable dairy farm.
During the visit to Hugh Harbison's farm in Aghadowey, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir welcomed the collaboration taking place between farmers, agri-food industry experts and researchers.
Minister Muir was able to see firsthand the legacy of the DAERA funded Accelerating Ruminant Carbon to Net Zero (ARC Zero) European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Project, delivered as part of the NI Rural Development Programme.
The DAERA Minister said: “The benefits of climate action are clear in delivering economic opportunities, cleaner air, healthier communities, and stronger, more resilient ecosystems. I would like to commend all those involved in the ARC Zero project who have demonstrated leadership in pioneering on-farm solutions across a range of farming systems. Projects like ARC Zero show that climate action and improving environmental sustainability on-farm goes hand in hand with productive and profitable farming. By using science, data and evidence, farmers can make informed decisions to produce healthy, nutritious food more efficiently while delivering improved environmental outcomes.”
The ARC Zero project demonstrates a pathway to low carbon farming by measuring and managing carbon flows at individual farm level, empowering farmers with detailed information to allow them to make positive change on their farms.
Minister Muir continued: “I am pleased this week to have opened a new round of Innovation Partnerships for applications, delivered as part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme. The Innovation Partnerships will support farmer‑led innovation and collaboration across the Northern Ireland agri‑food sector building on the successful delivery of the pilot EIP scheme and the achievements of projects like ARC Zero.
“I would encourage farmer groups, industry partners and researchers with shared practical challenges to consider applying for Innovation Partnerships, which offer a structured way to test new approaches, share learning and strengthen farm business resilience and environmental sustainability.”
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