THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE is to make a €3.7 million grant package available to horticultural producers across the state.

Minister of State Shane McEntee says that the grants will provide assistance to 152 commercial producers to invest in specialist equipment and facilities. The grant covers produce including field vegetables, nursery crops, soft fruits, Christmas trees, and honey.

McEntee said the grants would help contribute to the spread of green technologies including water recycling and energy from waste.

“The Irish horticulture industry contributed an estimated €288 million to the value of agricultural output in 2011 and provides, both directly and indirectly, an estimated 5,000 jobs nationally with many further jobs being generated in distribution, processing and marketing,” McEntee said in a statement.

“It’s vital that the industry receives the support it requires to allow it maintain and further increase its contribution to the Irish economy.”