Transfer group scheme launched

The Deptartment of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has just launched the €100m Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme.

The Scheme involves discussion groups for farmers across 6 sectors – Beef, Sheep, Dairy, Tillage, Equine and Poultry. The intention is that the discussion groups will provide support to the agri-food sector by building knowledge and skills in producers.

The Knowledge Transfer (KT) Groups will run for a period of 3 years and will be delivered to farmers by qualified facilitators, with the all Groups to be approved by the end of June. Farmers will be required to attend a minimum of 5 Knowledge Transfer (discussion group) meetings in each of the 3 years of the Scheme. Each KT Group must contain between 12 and 18 members. Farmers can arrange for an approved nominee to attend in his or her place. It is also open for farmers to attend two KT Groups in different sectors – for example, one beef Group and one sheep Group. Each participating farmer will receive an annual payment of €750 for fully completing each year of a KT Group. However they will only receive 50% payment in respect of the second KT Group joined. The Dept. will pay KT Group facilitators directly for facilitating and administering the scheme.

In addition to attendance at meetings there is a requirement for farmers to complete an individualised Farm Improvement Plan in conjunction with the KT Group facilitator. This plan will include completion of an E-Profit Monitor; completion of an Animal Health Measure with a DAFM approved Private Veterinary Practitioner; completion of a Grassland Management Plan and completion of a Bord Bia Carbon Navigator. All these parts of the Farm Improvement Plan will need to be updated annually following completion in the first year. Participants will also be required to complete a Farm Health and Safety section with their Knowledge Transfer Facilitator in conjunction with the Farm Plan.

Further details are also available from Teagasc who will be holding information for drystock farmers throughout the county over next week. Teagasc advisers are participating in facilitating KT groups throughout the county and will take applications from drystock farmers who would like to participate in the Scheme.