To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of farm diversification in the last five years; and how her Department is supporting farm businesses to diversify in order to increase resilience against income and market volatility.

Under Axis 3 LEADER of the NIRDP 2007-2013 some 605 farm diversification projects were funded, receiving almost £15.2m in grant aid. This when matched funding is taken into account resulted in a total investment in farm families and rural areas of £33.7m over the five years of the programme. This led to the creation of 389 new jobs in rural areas and 162 brand new businesses being set up.

Under the Priority 6 LEADER Measures of the NIRDP 2014-2020, up to £27m will be available under the Rural Business Investment Scheme, to all rural businesses including farm families. This funding will allow for new non farming rural businesses to be setup or expanded, including farm diversification businesses. This investment has the potential to further increase the number of rural jobs, with a target of 700 being set within the programme. Having the funds under one scheme means there are greater potential funds available for farm diversification if the businesses come forward.