02 October 2009

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA has praised the success of farmers and members of farm families on completing the Diversification Challenge Programmes.

The Minister was commenting ahead of the eighth Diversification Challenge awards ceremony at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). On 30 September at Loughry Campus, certificates will be presented to over 70 farmers and members of family farms who have completed programmes during the past year.

The Minister said: “Almost 1500 farming families have benefited from the CAFRE Diversification Challenge programmes over the course of the last seven years. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who have undertaken a Diversification Challenge training programme through CAFRE.

“Successful completion of these programmes is a key step for any farmer or farm family member who is thinking of starting up a new rural enterprise. I find the range of business ideas which have emerged from these programmes over the years very encouraging and the programme offers an excellent opportunity during the current downturn.”

The Diversification Challenge programmes are specifically designed to meet the needs of members of farm families who are planning and establishing new rural enterprises. CAFRE and DARD staff deliver the programmes at a range of venues across the north of Ireland and these training programmes provide participants with a unique opportunity to acquire new skills and apply them to develop their businesses.

The Minister added: “Completion of these courses can often require a lot of commitment from participants, as they try to balance running the farm with the necessary work required to finish the programme. The Diversification Challenge has gone from strength to strength over the years and I wish you every success for the future. I hope that the skills that you have developed prove beneficial in running your business and to the local rural economy.”

Challenges also provide participants with a social and informal environment for the exchange of ideas, information and experience. Rural Enterprise advisers support delivery of the Diversification Challenge by providing individual mentoring to participants.

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA with Charlotte Millar, Limavady, (centre) who has successfully completed the programmes and has established Carrowmena Activity Centre and Hostel, Limavady and, left to right: John Sands and Gareth Wadsworth, CAFRE; Glynnis Mills, DARD and John Fay, CAFRE