Horticulture investment aid scheme sees ?4.3m input
Irish Minister of State Tom Hayes has announced the 2016 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.
An increased amount of ?4.3m has been made available for the scheme.
Minister Hayes said: ?Investments approved for aid under this scheme will assist growers to diversify, improve quality and add value, provide better working conditions and facilitate environmentally friendly practices all of which, in turn, will contribute to achieving the targets set for the horticultural sector in Food Wise 2025.?
The scheme is open to all horticultural sectors ? protected crops, nursery crops, field vegetables, soft fruit, apples, beekeeping and mushrooms and will provide grant aid, at a rate of 40% (50% in the case of qualifying young farmers), for approved capital investment undertaken by September 30 next year. In certain limited cases, however, funding may be approved for investments that will be completed and claimed prior to 29 September, 2017.
Minister Hayes concluded: ?This scheme will assist in improving growers? competitiveness by grant aiding capital investment in specialised plant and equipment as well as emerging technologies specific to commercial horticulture production.?
The closing date for receipt of applications in 18 December.
