Farmers throughout Ireland can benefit from two new schemes to purchase new equipment to modernise their holdings.
The Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has secured EU funding through the Rural Development Plan for Ireland for two Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes, both of which opened for applications this month.
The €8 million Rainwater Harvesting Scheme is available to farms throughout Ireland for the purchase and installation of rainwater harvesting equipment. The scheme will help farmers to conserve water and reduce costs by maximising the use of rainfall run-off.
Arable and livestock farms are eligible for grants of up to €10,000 through the scheme, with general priority given to young farmers in the dairy industry.
The €43 million Dairy Equipment Scheme is available to dairy farms and Milk Production Partnerships throughout Ireland for the purchase and upgrade of milking, storage and cooling equipment, ensuring that enterprises have the most up to date technology available to compete in the modern dairy sector.
Grants of up to €16,000 for milking equipment, and €10,000 for storage and cooling equipment are available, with priority given to new entrants to milk production and young farmers in the dairy sector.
Both schemes are open for applications until 31 December 2013, or until the available funds are committed.
For further information, see the Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food website.