YOUNG Scots farmers are calling for an industry summit amid fears they are being increasingly priced out of the sector which faces dire consequences unless radical changes are introduced.
Research from the Royal Bank of Scotland has revealed that young farmers are facing "serious and unnecessary" challenges which are impacting the entire industry.
The number of young people entering the sector continues to fall while those already in cannot grow and diversify their farms due to a lack of available bank lending.
Now RBS is calling for joint action from government, farmers and lenders to ensure agriculture can thrive especially in the event of Brexit.
The report “Harvesting the future for young farmers” is based on a landmark study of young and potential new entrant farmers from the "millennial" generation who were born in the 1980's and are now in their 30's.
It found that 20pc of young farmers surveyed state they are looking for new ways to access farming but with ever larger farms across the country this is proving difficult.
Ian Burrow, Head of Agriculture at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: "Millennial farmers are a high tech, high skilled, highly motivated group who hold a realistic picture of farming in their heads and want a career on the land.
"They are however, seriously constrained in a number of ways. With Brexit further heightening these challenges and increasing uncertainty, it is important we act now.
"Unless additional investment is secured, it is unlikely that the economic potential these young people hold be unlocked. Banks, government, families, and communities need to come together to ensure today’s young farmers receive the support they deserve.”
Donald MacKinnon, a young crofter and director of the Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF), said. "The SCF Young Crofters would very much like to be involved with this summit. Crofting has an essential role in Scottish agriculture and young crofters and young farmers are the future.”
"It is very good that RBS have carried out such a large survey and produced a report highlighting how difficult it is for young farmers to get hold of land or finance.
"It is the same in crofting with young folk who wish to croft being kept out by existing un worked crofts being sat on, potential land for new crofts not being identified and borrowing money on croft land being almost impossible.”
"Crofts are vitally important in many parts of Scotland as they are the only things that keep people in the remote areas as there is a distinct lack of jobs which forces many people away.
"But I do see a bright future for crofting as many youngsters are committed and are diversifying into other areas to make more money."
The situation is particularly acute in the crofting sector which is vital to the sustainability of many remote Highland communities.
A major survey a decade ago found that attracting young people into crofting was vital to the future survival of the industry.
It showed then that the single most pressing concern within the crofting community is how to help youngsters continue the way of life when it makes no financial sense.
But since then there has been little progress with a lack of affordable housing, land and finance seriously handicapping the future of crofting.
Banks will not provide a mortgage for crofts and there are currently dozens lying unused, particularly in the Western Isles.
Crofts can cost anywhere between £20,000 up to £100,000 in the lush farmland of Easter Ross which puts them out of the reach of most young people.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We welcome this report which adds to our understanding of some of the challenges and barriers to new entrants to farming and crofting and look forward to discussing its findings with RBS in the very near future.
“Encouraging a new younger generation to take control of farm and crofting businesses in Scotland is a priority for this government to ensure the sector has a sustainable future and there are a range of measures in place to support this."
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