A new £22.9m Farming Connect programme will be available for
farmers in Wales over the next two years to support them as they
prepare to move to the new Sustainable Farming Scheme, Minister
for Rural Affairs announced today.
Farming Connect offers business support, improves resilience,
provides access to the latest innovations and helps develop farm
businesses. It plays a key role in helping farms reach net zero
carbon emissions through advice and support.
Since its launch in 2015 the current Farming Connect programme
has supported over 26,500 individuals, including 12,615
businesses.
The new programme will run for two years until March 2025 and
will focus on preparing farmers to transition to the new
Sustainable Farming Scheme.
The over-arching themes for the new programme will be
sustainability, improved environmental performance and greater
global competitiveness.
The Minister made the announcement on a farm which has benefited
from Farming Connect. Will and at Lower Eyton Farm, Wrexham
have diversified their farm business with support from Farming
Connect and now supply fresh, organically grown, and seasonal
vegetable boxes straight to a customer’s home. Watery Lane
Produce includes products from local suppliers and the farm.
The Minister said: “The new Farming Connect programme I am
announcing today will support farmers in Wales at a key time. The
new Sustainable Farming Scheme will begin in 2025, and Farming
Connect will provide the support farmers need to prepare for the
new scheme.
“Farming Connect is valued by the industry and I know its
services will be crucial in the next two years as we prepare the
way for the SFS. It will provide advice on how farming businesses
can adapt and remain competitive.
“For the first time it will include a horticultural programme
providing sector specific support for all rural growers, and a
new ‘sheep genetics’ programme has been developed for sheep
farmers.
“I know this is a challenging time for the industry, and the
programme will provide valuable support as we move towards the
SFS."
from Lower Eyton Farm said: “We
have been very fortunate of the support we have received from
Farming Connect so far. It all started with a digital workshop
before moving onto becoming a member of an Agrisgôp group. I have
now found a job I feel passionate about, I’m doing my bit for the
environment and climate change, and I’m also educating my four
children on all these important issues.”
Eirwen Williams, director of rural programmes with Menter a
Busnes which alongside Lantra Wales, has delivered the Farming
Connect programme since 2015, said: “Farmers throughout Wales can
expect a seamless transition as Farming Connect not only builds
on its achievements over the last seven years of delivery but
through the ongoing targeted support which will help both today’s
and future generations prepare for the opportunities and
challenges ahead.
"Through our skilled and experienced regional field force and
teams of specialist advisers, mentors, and accredited trainers,
we will be reaching out to all those working in our industry,
including young or new entrants wanting to progress as well as
established businesses ready to consider different ways of
working.”
Kevin Thomas, director of Lantra Wales added: “Our aim is to
support all businesses to increase efficiencies – including for
example through benchmarking, knowledge transfer, innovation,
utilising new technologies or setting up diversified ventures –
enabling them to lower costs and increase profitability while
maintaining the highest standards of animal health and welfare
and land management.”
