Minister Praises success of the Challenge Programme

by DARD Reporter
1st Nov 2006

Agriculture Minister David Cairns has commended the success of a two-year part-time training programme for farmers.

The Minister was commenting following the first of two rounds of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise's (CAFRE) Challenge Programme awards ceremonies for successful farmers in Armagh, with a further set of awards in Omagh next week.

Congratulating the participating farmers the Minister said: "I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who have or are currently undertaking a challenge programme through CAFRE and all the CAFRE staff whose hard work has helped more than 400 farmers to success complete the programme over the last 2 years.

"Participation in the programme often requires farmers to contribute a large amount of their free time to attendance and completion of challenge tasks. This can involve a significant amount re-prioritising on the farmer and their family's part to ensure their success. I acknowledge and commend their dedication, as completion of the programme can offers excellent opportunities to those involved ranging from dairy to beef to business start-up.

"I wish all the successful participants every success in the future and hope the Challenge Programme may offer further opportunities for study to those receiving awards and their families."