The Irish government, through their 2015 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector, are investing €5.7 million (£4.15 million) to “facilitate environmentally-friendly practices, promote the diversification of on-farm activities and improve the quality of products in the sector”.
The Department of Agriculture says that the industry produces over €300 million (£217 million) of value to Irish agricultural output, and the grant aid approved will cover all areas of the horticultural industry – field vegetables, mushrooms, protected crops, nursery crops, soft and top fruit, cut foliage, Christmas trees, flower bulbs and bee-keeping.
The Department says that the aid will support investments by 158 commercial producers in specialist equipment and buildings costing approximately €14 million (£10 million).