The agriculture industry is facing an impending crisis of its own creation, exacerbated by an aging workforce - in Scotland, the average age of a farmer surpasses 60. Meanwhile, young people pursuing a career in agriculture are finding obstacles at every turn. Unless they are fortunate enough to inherit farmland, breaking into the sector has become an almost insurmountable challenge.
During my time on the SAYFC Agri & Rural Affairs committee, we have conducted numerous member surveys. Consistently, two pressing issues take centre stage: access to land and funding.
Recent land-buying frenzies for forestry have driven prices to stratospheric heights, placing it beyond the financial reach of aspiring young farmers. We must foster an environment where farmers are encouraged to engage in shared farming agreements or provide opportunities for young entrants to purchase their own farms.
The Scottish Land Matching Service is a fantastic organisation that can play a pivotal role in facilitating these transitions. Those looking to retire or support young people in the industry should reach out to them.
Securing funding for young people to embark on agricultural careers is mired in red tape, making the process difficult, if not impossible. Both the UK and Scottish governments must take more substantial measures to ensure funding is readily accessible to young people. Radical reforms in funding mechanisms, including government-backed loan schemes, should be explored. Existing Government start-up loans, limited to £25,000, ought to be expanded for agriculture, recognising the substantial capital expenditure in our sector.
The new Agriculture Bill should herald sweeping changes in subsidy and support distribution, and I believe that the funds paid to landowners solely for owning land should be redirected towards fortifying the industry for the long term. For example, by supporting young entrants to the sector and training for those eager to work in agriculture.
Investment in training and skills development is a pressing concern - many hopeful industry entrants lack the necessary skills, meaning significant investment is needed to ensure they are trained to perform their roles safely.
Recent global events have exposed the fragility of our food systems. Covid-19 led to shortages and logistical bottlenecks, the Russia-Ukraine conflict inflated material prices, and wildfires and floods highlighted the unpredictability of changing weather patterns.
To meet the demands of a growing global population and fulfil climate change targets, enhancing the efficiency of our industry is imperative. This goal is unattainable if we persist in shutting out young people. Without their participation, the industry's shelf life is severely limited, and we risk becoming a nation reliant on imported food.
It’s vital we start these conversations now – for example, I will be chairing a debate on this topic at the Future Farming Expo Scotland, taking place in Aberdeen on October 10-11, which will hopefully spark further thinking for attendees. We are keen for anyone involved in agriculture to be part of the debate about the future of the sector, so please come and participate if you can. The discussions we have today, no matter how challenging, will determine our industry's future.
John McCulloch is National Agri & Rural Affairs Chair, Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC)
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