A new £22.9 million Farming Connect programme has been launched by the Welsh government today (Thursday, February 23) to support Welsh farmers as they prepare to move to the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
The new programme, announced by Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths, offers business support, aims to improve resilience, provide access to the latest innovations and help develop farm businesses.
The new programme will run until March 2025 with the focus being on preparing farmers to transition to the new SFS.
Since its launch in 2015, the current Farming Connect programme has supported over 26,500 individuals, including 12,615 businesses, the Welsh government said.
“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,” Griffiths said.
“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.”
A ‘seamless’ transition
Menter a Busnes has delivered Farming Connect alongside Lantra Wales since 2015, and director of rural programmes for the business, Eirwen Williams, said farmers throughout Wales can expect a “seamless” transition to SFS through the Farming Connect programme.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Director of Lantra Wales, Kevin Thomas, said the aim of the programme is to support all businesses to increase efficiencies like:
- Benchmarking;
- Knowledge transfer;
- Innovation;
- Utilising new technologies;
- Setting up diversified ventures.
This, he said, will enable businesses to lower costs and increase profitability while maintaining the “highest standards of animal health and welfare and land management”.
