Supporting Northern Ireland’s growers with practical, strategic and long term help
At NI Horticulture PO, our purpose is simple: to help Northern Ireland’s horticulture growers succeed. As a recognised Producer Organisation, we provide coordinated support that strengthens individual farms and builds long?term resilience across the sector.
When you join NIHPO, you become part of a collaborative group that shares knowledge, makes joint investments, and works together to meet the needs of modern supply chains.
What We Provide
1. Technical & Production Support
Our team works closely with members to improve crop quality, post-harvest handling, and production efficiency. We offer guidance on harvesting, grading, chilling, pest management, and sustainable growing practices — all critical to maintaining strong market returns.
2. Strengthened Market Access
We help ensure members’ produce reaches the right customers at the right time. Through coordinated planning and shared expertise, we support growers in meeting the requirements of retailers, wholesalers and foodservice partners across the UK and Ireland.
3. Support with FVAS and Investment
As part of the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme (FVAS), recognised POs can access funding that supports investment in equipment, automation, training, environmental improvements and innovation.
We assist members with:
• operational programme planning
• investment decisions
• documentation and compliance
• maximising value from the scheme
4. Training & Skills Development
From harvest training to quality assurance, from best practice post harvest handling to modern technologies, members gain access to continuous training designed to improve efficiency, consistency and returns.
5. Collaboration & Shared Expertise
NIHPO members benefit from a strong network of experienced growers across multiple sectors — mushrooms, field vegetables, apples and soft fruit. This creates real-world opportunities to share solutions, learn from each other and build stronger businesses together.
Member Investment
Your contribution fuels the collective success of the organisation. Member support enables:
- Ongoing advocacy and negotiation on behalf of members
- Development of new marketing and sales channels
- Shared access to technical and business resources
- Funding for sector-wide research and innovation
Together, we build strength in numbers and invest in a better future for all.
Member contributions help deliver:
• dedicated quality assurance and production support
• improved planning and market coordination
• shared access to modern technologies and infrastructure
• research, innovation and environmental improvements
• sector?wide efficiencies that benefit all growers
Together, we build scale, capability and resilience that individual farms cannot achieve alone.
Grow with Us
Whether you run a long?established farm or are building a new growing business, NIHPO provides the support, tools and opportunities to help you thrive.
Get in touch to learn how NI Horticulture PO can support your farm.