Finance and land prices are barriers for young farmers

The biggest obstacles to getting a start in Scottish farming are the price of land and start-up finance

That was the result of a survey on the challenges facing the next generation of farmers and crofters carried out by NFU Scotland (NFUS) earlier this summer.

Respondents cited access to finance and grants, education, mentoring and advice as well as the availability and price of land as their biggest concerns.

These results will now be used to inform the work of the union’s New Generation Committee.

Committee chairman Mark Donald said a new generation of farmers and crofters was critical for the future of Scottish agriculture.

“We need an understanding at all levels right across the industry of the challenges and barriers that are currently being faced so we can work to overcome them and encourage more young people to enter the industry and work to make their business thrive,” he said.

“We’re keen to hear from those in the industry and engage further with other stakeholders who can help our young people to enter the industry successfully and to help their business thrive for generations after them.”

NFUS has set up a dedicated Facebook group for new generation activity and has invited interested people to join the group.

Mark Donald of the NFUS New Generation Committee.