Growers could receive up to £250,000 to invest in new technologies, crops and production systems that enhance resilience, productivity, competitive and sustainability
Horticulture businesses across Northern Ireland have been offered grants to support the adoption of new technologies to help improve resillience, productivity and efficiency.
Via the Innovation Driver and Support Scheme, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) will provide grant support for up to 40 per cent eligible project costs, with projects ranging from £10,000 to £625,000.
For example, a project costing £625,000 could attract the maximum £250,000 contribution.
The grant is open to qualifying commercial horticulture businesses, including fruit, vegetable, mushroom, protected crop and ornamental plant producers.
The funding will help businesses invest in innovative approaches new to Northern Ireland that can enhance productivity, resilience, competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
Kieran Lavelle, senior horticulture adviser at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), said: “The Innovation Driver and Support Scheme provides a valuable opportunity for production horticulture businesses to adopt new technologies, systems or crops that can help improve productivity and strengthen business resilience.
“Innovation is essential for the future growth and sustainability of the sector, and this scheme is designed to support businesses in exploring and implementing new approaches that can deliver long-term benefits,” he added.
As part of a two-stage application process, businesses must first register via a link on the CAFRE website before submitting a full application including all required supporting documentation.
Projects costing more than £62,000 will also require an indication of support letter from a lender.
The deadline for completed applications is 4pm on Wednesday 16 December.
