AQW 20238/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 10/06/2021
Answered On Date: 24/06/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the funding allocated by his Department to increase the training provision for women in agriculture.

Answer:

My Department trains women in agriculture through the delivery of programmes of Education, Training, Knowledge Transfer and Innovation at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). Whilst selection for entry to Education courses is based on academic achievement and merit principles, female engagement with agriculture programmes is increasing. For example, in 2021, 53 per cent of agriculture students enrolled on Higher Education courses were female, whilst 23 per cent enrolled on Further Education courses were female, compared with 31 per cent and 15 percent respectively in 2017.

Training events, delivered under CAFRE's Knowledge Transfer and Innovation schemes, are funded by my Department and the EU through the Rural Development Programme. Over 3000 farmers participate in the Business Development Groups scheme and over 17,000 farmers, farm family members and employees have attended awareness training under the Farm Family Key Skills scheme. Female participation in these schemes are 5 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.