WEST Tyrone Rural in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Leader Network (NILN) has announced a call for expressions of interest for a new Farm Diversification Expansion Programme for the Tourism and Craft sectors.

NILN, the umbrella organisation for the thirteen Local Action Groups in Northern Ireland which includes West Tyrone Rural Ltd, was successful in securing financial assistance for the programme from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Sectoral strand of the Rural Development Programme, funded through the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity.

The programme will provide an opportunity for farm businesses who operate existing tourism or craft diversification businesses to expand further within the tourism and craft sectors.

Eamon Gallogly, joint programme coordinator explained, "While many farm families are keen to diversify, evidence suggests that many are not yet confident that diversification can prove a viable option in helping the farm remain sustainable. However many farm families have already taken this step successfully and are now in a position to achieve further growth with the help of some intervention.

"The programme will offer financial assistance of up to £20,000, funded at 50% of eligible expenditure for successful projects which focus on tourism or craft related activities. In exceptional circumstances the level of grant assistance may be increased above £20,000.

"West Tyrone Rural staff will be available to provide assistance and support to farm businesses within the rural Strabane and Omagh District Council areas that have a project idea."

Expressions of interest forms and further information on the programme can be obtained by contacting Katy Turnbull (email info@westtyronerural.com ) on 028 82 252647.

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Katy Turnbull Rural Strategy Manager (West Tyrone Rural), Ken Russell Chairman of West Tyrone Rural and Eamon Gallogly Programme Coordinator for the Farm Diversification Expansion Programme.