Rural Development Programmes delivered through CAFRE
The Farm Business Improvement Scheme which is funded under the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 contains a number of key measures focusing on knowledge transfer with CAFRE leading the delivery of: Business Development Groups Scheme, Farm Family Key Skills Scheme, Technology Demonstration Farms, Farm Innovation Visits and European Innovation Partnership Scheme.
The programmes are managed and delivered by the Knowledge Advisory Service within CAFRE and directly contribute to DAERA’s objective of promoting ‘sustainability at the heart of a living, working, active landscape valued by everyone’.
Business Development Groups
The BDGs Scheme opened in 2015, almost 3,000 farmers are members of Business Development Groups (BDGs) and meet regularly at BDG training events held on members’ farms.
Farm Family Key Skills
FFKS scheme provides short, specific training courses aimed at creating awareness and knowledge of topical issues impacting on-farm businesses that can help with decision making.
Technology Demonstration Farms
TDFs demonstrate innovative technologies. Visiting farmers will see technologies demonstrated, hear the experience of host farmers and learn about the financial impact of adopting the technologies.
Farm Innovation Visits
FIVs, provide farmers with the opportunity to visit farm businesses in other parts of the UK or Europe to learn about new innovations. Each visit has a specific theme.
European Innovation Partnership
EIP schemes bring together expertise such as advisers, researchers and businesses to work in partnership with farmers to consider how practical solutions might be developed to address a particular problem or opportunity.