The annual Balmoral show gets underway next week, 14th May.

And, to mark the event, Minister Michelle Gildernew has launched the Department's display at this year's Show.

The annual Show will run from 14-16 May at the Balmoral Complex inBelfast. The Department's exhibit will be part of the Government

Departments' 'Delivering Change, Meeting Challenges' exhibition in the Balmoral Hall.

Announcing the Department's plans for this year's show the Minister said: "The Balmoral Show is the centre-piece event of the local farming calendar when country comes to town and I take great pride in my Department's role in the show. As in previous year's the Department's display will form part of the Government Departments' exhibition and offers a good opportunity for both farmers and rural dwellers to tap into the expertise that will be at hand to provide guidance on a range of agri-food and rural matters.

"This year we will be displaying a wide range of services and information on my Department's work, including, supply chain development opportunities and CAFRE courses with a focus on IT and food courses. We will also show how agri-environment schemes have made a difference to the countryside. The new Rural Development Programme will also form a major piece of the DARD exhibit offering a range of facts and figures on what the RDP has to offer.

"I would encourage everyone with an interest in my Department's work to visit our exhibit and discuss their queries with the relevant experts.

It gives me great pleasure to be in a position to provide such a valuable service as part of the Government Departments' exhibition on site at the show. The Government exhibition offers the public the chance to see the wide range of work being done on their behalf across the Executive and I would also encourage all visitors to spend some time touring the entire Government Departments' exhibition at Balmoral Show."

The Government Departments' exhibition at Balmoral Show has previously attracted about 30,000 visitors.