A €100m Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme has been launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed.
 
The Scheme is co-funded by the National Exchequer and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development as part of Ireland’s €4bn Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020.

Knowledge Transfer Groups will be implemented for some 27,000 farmers across 6 sectors – Beef, Sheep, Dairy, Tillage, Equine and Poultry. These groups will provide a key support to the agri-food sector in building its knowledge and skills base to underpin continued growth and competitiveness.
 
Knowledge Transfer Groups will be delivered to farmers by qualified facilitators with the first Groups expected to be approved in June. 

Minister Creed said, "The Government’s continued support for the range of measures contained in the Rural Development Programme underline its commitment to facilitate farmers in addressing sustainability, productivity and competitiveness challenges. Helping farmers pursue best practice can only help to serve continued efforts in protecting and improving farmer’s incomes.”

He added, “Rural isolation has long been a factor in contributing to mental health issues amongst farmers. Schemes such as this which encourage interaction on an on-going basis are a useful tool in the battle against this significant problem.”
 
Source: www.businessworld.ie