Niamh Smyth
Question:141. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the work of the Women-Only Knowledge Transfer Group. [18489/23]
View answerThursday, 20 April 2023
Questions (141)
Written answers
I recently updated the Deputy on the position of women in farming and the ongoing work in this area. This work consists of the innovative proposals in the new CAP Strategic Plan, including the promotion of women-only Knowledge Transfer (KT) Groups; and initiatives under Food Vision 2030, including the National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture, which I hosted on the 1st of February this year.
The Knowledge Transfer Programme under the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan builds on the experience of the discussion group model in the previous KT Programme. The objective of the Programme is to provide support for high quality and targeted advice to farmers, delivered by professional advisers with the appropriate experience and expertise (KT Facilitators). The Programme will also allow for shared learning between the farmers in the groups. It aims to increase farmers understanding of topics such as biodiversity, water quality, air quality, climate change, soil health, animal health & welfare, farm management, digital and smart technologies, financial management and succession planning.
The new Programme is a three-year Programme, due to commence in January 2024, with the Expression of Interest online system for advisors to be a KT Facilitator expected to open for applications in June 2023. The KT Facilitators will then submit their groups for approval. The composition of KT Groups will be determined in accordance with identified local needs, including the option to have women-only participation.
I am proud to be the first Minister to have introduced a range of supports for women farmers through the new CAP and I will continue to support our women farmers.