Scotland’s small-scale grain sector could benefit from the introduction of a machinery co-operative network.
That’s according to a recent survey from the Seed Sovereignty Programme and commissioned by the James Hutton Institute. which showed that two thirds of producers identified access to harvesting equipment as the largest obstacle within the sector.
The institute outlined that there is a “growing interest” in small-scale grain production across Scotland, with cereals such as wheat, barley and rye in strong demand for baking, malting and local food markets.
The survey of Scottish grain producers, which was conducted last year, found that 67% of respondents believe that harvesting machinery is “their top need” within the sector.
Grain producers also highlighted access to grain drying, cleaning and drilling equipment as other major priorities.
Research
Hutton researchers stated that machinery co-operatives “could offer a viable and cost‑effective solution, if supported by the right policy and organisational frameworks”.
They suggested that targeted funding from future rounds of the Scottish government’s Small Producers Fund, which has reportedly already committed £1.5 million, alongside advisory support and international knowledge exchange, could help establish a machinery-sharing network
The research also pointed towards international examples of this practice, such as Coopératives d’Utilisation de Matériel Agricole (CUMAs) in France.
In operation since the 1940s, French CUMA groups regularly share equipment, infrastructure, best practices, ideas and knowledge and sometimes staff.
According to the James Hutton Institute, roughly 10,000 CUMAs have been established across France, with nearly half of French farms participating.
It has been reported that CUMA members have reduced their operating costs by around 20% on average by joining these co-operatives.
Scotland
Speaking on the research, director for Hutton’s International Barley Hub (IHB), Prof. Tim George noted that most growers who were surveyed “wanted to improve efficiency and viability, rather than expand production”.
In response to the survey’s findings, the IBH passed on three of its old stock small threshers to farmers in distinct regions of Scotland with different scales and intended uses to test their practical value and gauge interest for machinery-sharing hubs in these regions.
Prof. George announced that the IHB is now test-trialling a theoretical machinery-sharing network across Scotland, inviting grain growers to register any equipment they would be willing to offer up to these hubs.
He said: “Producers growing between one and 20ha find that manual methods are no longer viable, yet modern commercial machinery is too large, expensive, or unavailable for small contracts.
“We’re now mapping existing small and medium-scale grain equipment to pinpoint where we might be able to support the formation of machinery rings and to identify gaps in equipment necessary for production and processing of grain in Scotland.”
Scottish grain producers can register their equipment by filling out a form on the James Hutton Institute’s website.