What was the outcome of the Farming Connects 2026-27 contract regarding support for horticulture?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs | Answered on 17/03/2026
There will be a new Farming Connect programme available from 1 April. The new contract will continue to offer the same level of support, providing free and subsidised interventions to the sector.
Also available are two bespoke capital grant schemes that are designed specifically for the sector - the Agriculture Diversification and Horticulture Scheme and the Small Grants Horticulture Start up Scheme. The sector can also benefit from other grant schemes that are cross-sectoral, such as the efficiency and environmental grants.