Minister for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has announced the opening of the Business Sustainability Groups (BSGs), part of the farming for sustainability knowledge transfer programme.
The Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said the BSGs will bring together groups of farmers and growers to use knowledge cooperation and innovation to improve the sustainability and performance of their businesses.
Minister Muir said: “The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) BSGs are a key part of the support schemes offered as part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP).
“Participation in BSGs and knowledge transfer schemes will support all farm businesses enhance their environmental and financial sustainability helping to build resilience.”
The department said the groups will follow a similar format to the Business Development Groups (BDGs) that it said delivered real improvements in farm performance with over 3,000 members.
Business Sustainability Groups
Following feedback from delivery of the BDGs, peer learning groups, will be delivered through the (BSGs) and themed groups.
Based on the feedback the department said BSGs will focus on larger, more complex businesses that may require a broad range of support and advice, and themed groups will provide more focused support and advice relating to specific enterprises and topics.
Farmers who enroll on the BSG will meet at least five times a year. Each group and their members will also have the support of a CAFRE adviser and other specialist technical support.
DAERA said applicants must be willing to collate some physical and financial data, share farm information with other group members and be willing to host a visit for the group.
There will be financial support for members to collate the information on their business and for hosting group visits.
Minister Muir said: “I would encourage farmers to apply to the BSG scheme which is designed to bring them together, to support each other, enhance their knowledge of business management, new technologies and innovative ways of achieving more sustainable and resilient businesses.”
Applications can be made on CAFRE’s website until Friday, May 2, 2025 at 4:00pm.
