The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) have welcomed confirmation from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) that it will help fund the development and delivery of a £120,000 Land Mobility Scheme for Northern Ireland.
Over two years, funding will go towards project costs and employing a project manager to run the initiative. This role will be managed by the YFCU.
Commenting YFCU president, James Speers said: “This funding by DAERA complements the extensive work the YFCU have undertaken with CAFRE on the education and training of young farmers over the last few years. It also supports the clear desire of our members to bring innovation to the industry and develop more productive methods of land use. We look forward to working with the UFU on the steering group and with the wider agri sector to make it a success.”
UFU president, Barclay Bell added: “DAERA’s significant financial commitment is very welcome and shows they recognise the value of this scheme. The funds will be used to deliver a project that aims to help put farmers facing the challenge of succession in touch with younger farmers who want to get involved in farming. A lot of work has gone into the planning and establishment of this joint initiative and I am delighted we are making progress.”
The Land Mobility project manager will be responsible for the promotion of land and enterprise mobility, through collective arrangements such as partnerships, shared farming arrangements and leases between younger farmers and older landowners. Both the YFCU and UFU are confident this scheme will benefit both older and younger farming generations by matching people to opportunities.
Information about the Land Mobility Project manager role is available at:
www.ufuni.org and www.yfcu.org
The closing date for applications is Monday 26 June 2017 at noon.
