State horticulture scheme now open

HORTICULTURE enterprises in Wicklow are being reminded that the closing date for the 2019 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is Wednesday, December 19.

The scheme was launched this week by Minister of State Andrew Doyle where was outlined that next year’s budget has been increased from €1m to €6m.

It is a competitive scheme open to all horticultural sectors – field vegetables, mushrooms, protected food crops, amenity crops, soft fruit, apples and beekeeping and will provide grant aid, at a rate of 40 per cent, for approved capital investments.

Minister Doyle said that ‘ last year Ireland’s horticulture sector contributed over €430m to the value of output at farm-gate level and is estimated to be directly responsible for over 6,600 jobs with many more employed indirectly both upstream and downstream.

Details of the scheme and application forms can be obtained at: www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/horticulture/horticultureschemes