Minister of State at the Department of Finance Robert Troy, with special responsibility for financial services, credit unions and insurance, has launched National Cultivate Week, which takes place from April 7 to 13.

The annual event brings together credit unions and their members to celebrate Irish farmers and the vital role they play in sustaining local communities and the wider economy.

Cultivate is an initiative of a group of credit unions across 175 locations in the Republic of Ireland that provides short to medium term loans built specifically for the growing needs of its farming members.

Therese Conway is the newly appointed chief executive of Collaborative Finance - the organisation behind the Cultivate brand.

“National Cultivate Week is a celebration of Irish farmers and the communities that support them - and an opportunity to show how credit unions are stepping up to meet their needs," she said

"Cultivate loans are built around the realities of farm life: flexibility, speed, and a real personal service.

"The surge in demand for Cultivate loans since it launched in 2017 is proof that this approach works," she added.

Credit unions across the country will mark the week with a wide range of national and local events.

The events will highlight supports available through Cultivate loans, and showcase the relationship between credit unions and the agricultural community.

Cultivate follows a “farmer friendly” ethos, which offers farmers quick loan approvals, flexible repayments plans, and unsecured lending for up to €75,000 for up to 10 years.