Planting the seeds for the future of farming
NFU Cymru has welcomed the launch of the Welsh Government Young People into Agriculture scheme for the next generation of farmers.
The scheme offers start-up aid to high achieving individuals looking to establish new business or develop an existing business and will support 150 farmers.
Welcoming the scheme, NFU Cymru President, John Davies, says: “We very much support this investment by Welsh Government as part of the budget agreement with Plaid Cymru last year.
"The NFU Cymru Next Generation Group were pleased to meet with the Cabinet Secretary, Lesley Griffiths and Simon Thomas AM last autumn when this new scheme was being developed, therefore we’re very pleased to see a scheme launched today.
“It is vitally important that we support the next generation in every way possible and this scheme will provide vital investment to allow young farmers to further progress or kick-start their business.”
As I travel across Montgomeryshire I am always so encouraged by the number of young enthusiastic individuals wanting to develop and succeed in their agricultural careers.
While there may be uncertainties post-Brexit, there are fantastic opportunities within farming and we must continue to develop skills, be innovative and encourage the younger generational to trial new ideas and techniques so that our nation can continue to produce food to the highest health, welfare and environmental standards for a growing global population.
On another note, members of the NFU Cymru rural affairs board have joined the NFU’s farm safety campaign, #SeeItChangeIt.
#SeeItChangeIt, which was launched at the NFU Conference in Birmingham, is the latest initiative to improve safety and wellbeing on farms and aims to get farmers actively looking for risks on farm and using simple cost-effective ways to eliminate them.
It is widely acknowledged that the safety record within the farming sector needs improving, and there are simple but specific practices that we can change ourselves.
We all have a part to play in improving safety and wellbeing on farm and this campaign aims to get farmers actively looking for risks and doing something about it. Whether it’s a promise to check their PTO shaft every week, wear a helmet every time they ride an all-terrain vehicle, note their OS grid reference to use in emergencies or simply just to keep their mobile phone charged and on their person.
It must also be noted that the mental wellbeing of farmers is just as important as physical safety. Stress and depression are among many other illnesses that can massively impact your life and work, and we must be able to recognise when we need help.
Stephen Kenyon, NFU Welshpool
