Budget allocations for the various parts of the next Rural Development Programme (RDP) for 2014 to 2020 have been announced by Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill.

In total, there is £623m earmarked for the next programme divided across three specific areas of protecting the rural environment, developing rural economies and competitiveness of agriculture.

The largest share of the budget (£287m) is going towards improving competitiveness in agriculture. Within this area, £220m has been initially allocated to the Business Investment Scheme, the 40% grant scheme designed to help farmers upgrade buildings and equipment and generally improve overall farm efficiency.

The grant scheme is likely to come in two tiers, with the lower tier of £5,000 to £30,000 and an upper tier providing grant support of up to £250,000.

Grant rates are expected to be 40%, with a 50% rate for young farmers. However, one concern already expressed is a suggestion that to qualify for a 50% rate, a young farmer might have to meet the same conditions set out in the separate young farmers’ scheme or new entrant’s scheme (Level II qualification in agriculture, etc.). A lot of detail has yet to be clarified.

There are two other major budget areas within ‘‘improving competitiveness’’. The first is a Food Processing Investment Scheme with a budget of £30m. The other is the £25m set aside for business development groups.

The initial DARD consultation document on the next RDP refers to a potential 140 to 150 discussion groups, with 20 participating farmers in each group across the main sectors of beef, sheep, dairy, pigs, poultry, crops and horticulture. Each group will be led by a DARD adviser or private consultant, with six to eight meetings of the group each year.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that there is likely to be a financial incentive for farmers to take part in a group – possibly £600 to £700 per year. The challenge will be to put together groups of like-minded individuals, who are at a similar point in the development of their farm businesses.

Environment

Protecting the rural environment remains a key part of the next RDP, with a budget allocation of £256m.

Of this, £173.5m is earmarked for agri-environment, including an environmental farming scheme and a land management programme. The rest of the money is for the less favoured area and, also, forestry (£17.5m).

Economy

The remainder of the RDP budget (£80m) is aimed at encouraging economic development in rural areas. The largest allocation of £27m is earmarked for a rural business investment scheme to help diversifying businesses.

There is also money to improve basic services in rural areas, rural tourism, village renewal and all-island co-operation.

Fri 1 August

  • Rouge de l’Ouest sheep & Zwartble sheep, show 10.30am, sale 1pm, Dungannon mart.
  • Ayrshire herd dispersal 150 head for Trevor Brown, Ballymena mart, 11am.
  • First breeding sheep sale, Saintfield mart, 7pm.
  • Texel club open night at Ballynahone flock of Richard Henderson, 36 Clooney Road, Tobermore, 7pm.
  • Sat 2 August

  • Breeding sheep hoggets and ewe lambs, Suffolk Cheviots, Texel X & Continental X, Ballymena mart, 11am.
  • Mon 4 August

  • Soil Association farm walk taking place at John McCormick’s organic farm, Helen’s Bay, 4.30pm.
  • Dispersal sale of pedigree Dorset flock for S Caldwell, Ballymena Mart, 7pm.
  • Wed 6 August

  • Fermanagh show, Enniskillen.
  • Dispersal sale, 60 suckler cows and calves, Omagh mart, 7.30pm.
  • CAFRE & RAPID diversification awareness workshop at the RAPID Office Building, 2 Foreglen Rd, Killaloo 7.30pm. Book with Caroline at the RAPID office. TN 7133 7149.
  • Thurs 7 August

  • Ile de France show and sale, Dungannon mart, 11am
  • First breeding sheep & store lambs sale, Kilrea mart, 7pm.
  • Fri 8 August

  • Simmental Cattle Club, charity barbecue and auction for Friends of Cancer NI, Dungannon Rugby Club, 8pm. Tickets Robin Boyd TN 07799 346 784.
  • Sat 9 August

  • Breeding sheep, Greyface and Mule hoggets, crossbred and Suffolk Cheviot ewe lambs, Ballymena mart, 11am.
  • Clearance sale, 500 Mule and Suffolk Cheviot ewes and 15 rams for John McArdle, on-farm at Ashford Estates, Middletown, 1.30pm.