Knowledge Transfer (KT) Programme

The objective of the Knowledge Transfer Programme is to up-skill Irish farmers, to encourage efficiency and effectiveness of work and ensure they engage in a process of continuous improvement which will not only develop their enterprise but also contribute the overall development of the agri food sector. As part of their commitment under the programme farmers attend meetings of their KT Group. They also have the option to attend up to two KT Events in lieu of such meetings.

The Knowledge Transfer (KT) Programme completed its third and final year in July of 2019. KT was a three-year Programme as set out in Ireland’s RDP 2014-2020. Discussions in relation to the post 2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) regulations are ongoing and these will form the basis for the next iteration of CAP schemes when they are finalised. Given this, and the fact that the budget for the existing RDP is fully allocated, it is currently not intended to introduce a new KT Programme in 2020/2021.

The draft EU Regulations for the next round of the CAP include again a strong element relating to knowledge transfer and exchange. Updates on the progress of the post 2020 CAP can be found here

Privacy statement

• Item was unpublished or removed
• Knowledge Transfer Programme - Privacy Statement 2018 (pdf 418Kb)

Frequently raised topics

• Frequently Raised Topics for Knowledge Transfer

As part of the Knowledge Transfer Programme Participants are required to complete a Farm Improvement Plan in conjunction with their KT Group Facilitator. The KT Group Facilitator submits this FIP online and gives the participant a hard copy for their records and to refer to recommendations/actions outlined for the improvement of processes/procedures on the farm.

• Farm Improvement Plan User Manual (pdf 3,941Kb)

As part of the Farm Improvement Plan component of the Knowledge Transfer Programme it is a requirement that participants in Beef, Dairy, Equine, Poultry & Sheep must complete an Animal Health Measure with KT approved Private Veterinary Practitioner. It is open to any Private Veterinary Practitioner to apply for approval to act on behalf of Knowledge Transfer participants in respect of the Animal Health Measure of the Farm Improvement Plan. In order to be approved PVPs must be;

1. Registered with the Veterinary Council of Ireland

2. Employed by a Veterinary Practice

3. Hold an active Department “P No.”

Additional information with regard to PVP’s can be found Item was unpublished or removed.

It is open to any person or entity to apply for a KT Event which may comprise a farm walk, a conference, etc. which provides a learning opportunity for farmers related to the targeted areas of sustainability, animal health, grassland management, H&S or financial management etc. Applications for approval of a proposed KT Event must be submitted a minimum of 20 working days prior to the date of the proposed event. KT Events are approved on the basis of quality of content and speakers and assessment of the learning opportunity presented.

Completed applications and queries may be submitted by the event organiser via email to KTEvents@agriculture.gov.ie. Where an event is approved, DAFM will provide staff at the event to take registration of KT participants in order to allocate credit under the KT Programme for attendance at same. DAFM will also publish details of the event on the our website, direct KT Facilitators (advisors) to same via the online KT Meeting system and publicise the event via Twitter.

• A list of currently approved KT National Events and application forms can be found here.

• Conditions for the Poultry Knowledge Transfer Programme
• Conditions for the Tillage Knowledge Transfer Programme
• Conditions for the Equine Knowledge Transfer Programme
• Conditions for the Sheep Knowledge Transfer Programme
• Conditions for the Dairy Knowledge Transfer Programme
• Conditions for the Knowledge Transfer Programme (Beef)