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Minister praises success in the diversification challenge programme

Thursday, 7 June 2007

Agriculture Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, has commended the success of farmers and members of farm families on the Diversification Challenge Programmes.

The Minister was commenting ahead of the sixth awards ceremony for the Diversification Challenge programmes at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). On 7 June at Loughry Campus, certificates will be presented to candidates who have completed three of CAFRE’s lifelong learning programmes. Over 940 farmers and farm family members have now participated in these programmes.

Congratulating the participants, the Minister said: “I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who have undertaken a Diversification Challenge programme through CAFRE. Successful completion of these programmes is a significant step for any farmer or farm family member who is starting up a new rural enterprise and I am always very impressed with the range of business ideas which flow from these programmes.

“The level of commitment to complete these programmes is a great achievement. I wish you every success for the future and hope that the skills you have developed prove beneficial.”

The Diversification Challenge programmes are specifically designed to meet the needs of members of farm families who are planning and establishing new rural enterprises. CAFRE staff deliver the programmes at venues across Northern Ireland and they provide participants with a unique opportunity to acquire new skills and apply them to develop their businesses.

Challenges also provide participants with a social and informal environment for the exchange of ideas, information and experience. Rural Enterprise advisers support delivery of the Diversification Challenge by providing individual mentoring to participants.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The certificates will be presented by Mr Roy McClenaghan, DARD Deputy Secretary, at an awards ceremony on 7 June 2007 at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.
  2. Awards will be presented for successful participants in the following categories: the Diversification Challenge - Business Planning; Diversification Challenge - Business Start and the Diversification Challenge – Business Start Follow-on Programmes.
  3. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619.