GETTING INTO farming is not easy when land is expensive and start-up finance is hard to secure.

Those two factors are the biggest challenges for farmers and crofters entering the agricultural industry, according to NFU Scotland’s members.

A survey focussing on the challenges facing the next generation of farmers and crofters was carried out by NFUS back in June, including at the Royal Highland Show, and those survey results are now to be used to inform the work of the union’s New Generation Committee and set its priorities going forward.

Access to finance and grants; education, mentoring and advice; and availability and price of land were ranked as the top priorities by survey participants.

NFUS New Generation committee chairman Mark Donald commented: “The next generation of farmers and crofters is critical for the future of Scottish agriculture and 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.

“We had a strong response of 85 members in total who provided a wide range of answers, with clear trends identified from this," said Mr Donald.

When asked what the main barriers were stopping new entrants getting into agriculture, the results found: 

  • 47.5% of respondents said price of land;
  • 40% of respondents said availability of land; 
  • 41% of respondents said start-up finance;
  • 38% of respondents said working capital.

“The results demonstrate a clear problem with start-up finance and access to land, two critical components that can mean the success or failure of a business and we will be taking this forward at our next meeting on August 15 to identify pathways for us to work to overcome these."

He stressed that the New Generation committee was keen to hear from people working in the industry, and engage further with other stakeholders who can help young people enter the industry successfully, and then help their business thrive for generations after them.

“We’ve now set up a dedicated Facebook group for NFU Scotland’s New Generation activity, and would invite anyone interested in learning more about this activity to join the group," added Mr Donald, who said it could be found by searching for 'NFU Scotland New Generation' group.