'Agri-food tourism is of great importance for rural areas'

A call for proposals for Agri-Food Tourism Initiatives has been issued by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD.

Successful proposals will receive grant aid from the Rural Innovation and Development Fund.

Minister McConalogue said: “Agri-food tourism is of great importance for rural areas.  It allows rural Ireland to showcase its people, landscape, history and culture through agricultural produce, food and drink and local cuisine.

"Funding under this scheme allows rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans, to develop their products and services, connect with the community and visitors and improve the rural experience.  In this current climate with such difficult times it is more important than ever that we support and promote rural Ireland and all its attributes.

"The total funding available is €275,000 for projects supporting agri-food tourism initiatives (which may also include rural food markets). The maximum amount payable to any project is €25,000.

"Agri-food tourism broadly is the practice of offering an activity or activities in rural areas to visit areas of well-known agricultural produce and to sample and taste the local or regional cuisine or specialties. Agri-food tourism includes a wide variety of activities that involve the links between agriculture and the food produced at the local or regional level. It may involve staying on farm or touring food trails and events, participation in agricultural endeavours or buying produce direct from a farm or market. Agri-food tourism also encompasses local food, farmer and artisan market schemes that support and are paired with local and seasonal food producers and artisan crafts," said Minister McConalogue.

Applications should be made via the Call for Proposals application form which is available HERE. The closing date for receipt of applications is 12.00 noon on March 5.