The Minister for Horticulture Andrew Doyle announced this Monday that €5.4m in funding has been awarded to successful projects under the 2016 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. The money will go towards buildings and equipment improvement.

Announcing details of the grants awarded, Minister Doyle said that there is strong potential to grow and develop Ireland’s horticulture sector over the coming years.

“This competitive grant-aid scheme provides the main source of funding for Ireland’s horticulture industry. By promoting efficient environmentally sustainable production, encouraging sustainable growth as well as facilitating production targeted at more quality conscious consumers, this scheme is well aligned with the objectives for Ireland’s agri-food sector set out in Food Wise 2025,” he said.

According to the Department, Ireland’s horticulture industry contributed almost €350m at farmgate level to the value of agricultural output in 2015, and there is significant value-added and employment involved in Irish horticultural product processing, distribution and retailing.

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The awards announced will support investments by 154 commercial producers in specialist horticultural buildings and equipment costing approximately €13.5m.

The scheme’s objectives is to facilitate environmentally friendly practices, to promote the diversification of on-farm activities, to improve the quality of products and to improve working conditions in the sector.

Investments approved under the 2016 scheme are due to be completed, with claims lodged to the Department by 30 September 2016.

However, a small number of projects where additional time is justified have been granted an extension until 29 September 2017, to submit claims for completed approved investments.