Help Shape The Farm Business Improvement Scheme, O’Neill Urges Farmers

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill today urged farmers to start thinking about how they can develop their business sustainably and help to shape proposals for a major scheme to support the industry in the north.

She was speaking as her department launched a Whole Farm Needs Assessment survey. Information gathered from the survey will help DARD assess the type and level of government support needed by farmers to meet their business objectives and will aid design of DARD’s proposed Farm Business Improvement Scheme (FBIS).

Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA said: “The FBIS is a very important element of our draft Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. This survey will give farmers an opportunity to inform us of the barriers they face in meeting their business objectives and will provide the information we need to shape the FBIS to best meet their needs.

“It will also help farmers critically assess their business and make the right decisions as they plan ahead for the next few years. I would encourage all farmers to consider using this tool.”

The survey is available now on the DARD website link at and the closing date is April 3.