This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister congratulates award-winning farmer
01/03/2004
Deputy Rural Development Minister Allan Wilson today
congratulated David Murray of Aberfeldy who won the NFU
Scotland Innovation award.
Mr Murray received funding from the Scottish Executive's
Farm Business Development Scheme to develop a
hydro-electricity plant on his farm. As well as continuing
his farming activities, his new plant supplies electricity
to the National Grid.
Mr Wilson said:
"Mr Murray has shown what can be achieved with support
from the Farm Business Development Scheme. I would like to
join in congratulating him on winning the NFUS Innovation
award.
"The Scottish Executive are committed to helping farming
families increase their income, and the FBDS has helped
many people throughout Scotland achieve this goal."
Mr Murray was presented with his award at NFU Scotland's
annual dinner. The award recognises those who have shown
particular creativity in their business. Mr Murray has
developed a hydro-electricity plant on his farm, as well as
managing his 700 sheep and 45 cows.
The Farm Business Development Scheme is a discretionary
and competitive scheme, which offers grants to farmers and
their immediate families to assist in diversification
within and outwith agriculture.
A total of 550 projects in the lowland Scotland area
have been approved to date, receiving grant funding
totalling £9.1 million.
The Scheme assists with wide range of projects
including: alternative agricultural production; leisure,
recreation, sporting and catering facilities; retailing
processed agricultural products; processing forestry
products; residential letting; rural services; and tourist
accommodation and facilities.