THERE IS less than a week left to apply for SAYFC's biennial agri and rural affairs study tour to Chile, in South America.

The two week study tour will take place in November and will focus on 'Adding Value to Agriculture' - looking at how farming businesses in Chile are attracting international investment as well as adding value to agricultural exports.

Young farmers will also get to see how first hand the South American country is developing technology through innovation and new packaging systems in order to reach new markets.

Agri and rural affairs vice chairman Catherine Sloan of Bankfoot JAC, explained why they decided on the destination: "One of the biggest challenges that is facing young people farming in Scotland, and indeed the Scottish farming industry as a whole is how the agricultural sector will look in a post-Brexit landscape. Farming is currently heavily reliant on agricultural subsidies," she continued. "New entrants struggle to get their first step on the farming ladder due to a lack of capital

and established businesses are often best placed to reach out to new markets, but many are unsure as to how to do so.

"Our industry is full of bright, driven and dynamic young people - they are our biggest asset and they should be utilised as such", she concluded.

The trip is a fantastic opportunity to look at agriculture in another part of the world with a small group of like-minded young farmers.

The tour is open for applications from all SAYFC members aged 18 and over and they have until Monday, January 6, to apply for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

For more information, contact regional & agri affairs manager, Janelle Anderson via email - janelle@sayfc.org or go to https://www.sayfc.org/agri-affairs-study-tour-2020