£11m Farming Connect programme to support Welsh farmers’ sustainable transition

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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A new £11m Farming Connect programme will be rolled out across Wales to support farmers as they prepare to transition into the Welsh Government’s forthcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

The funding was announced by the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, during a visit to Penllyn Estate Farm.

The scheme will form an part of the SFS and is intended to help farm businesses improve resilience and productivity.

Key areas of support will include soil health, animal health and welfare, pest management, benchmarking and the development of additional skills and knowledge across a range of subjects.

Speaking during the visit, Irranca-Davies said: “I’m pleased to announce an initial £11 million so Farming Connect can keep providing its important services to farmers across Wales for another year.

“That support is more important than ever. Farming Connect will play a key role in helping farmers move towards the Sustainable Farming Scheme, and this funding shows our commitment to supporting them through that transition.

“I’d encourage farmers to find out more and make the most of the support available.”

Delivery of the programme will continue to be led by Mentera, which has won the contract through a tender process.

Eirwen Williams, Director of Rural Programmes with Mentera, said: “We are proud of our record in delivering the Farming Connect programme on behalf of the Welsh Government since 2011 and we are delighted to be able to continue this work at such a crucial time for Welsh farming.

“Our priority is to keep supporting Wales’s rural industry with practical, trusted services that help farm businesses move forward.

“We’re committed to being a steady, constructive partner for the sector as it navigates the changes ahead.”

During his visit, the Deputy First Minister met Tom Homfray of Penllyn Estate to discuss how the programme has supported the business over a number of years.

Homfray said: “Farming Connect has been a vital resource for our business.

“Members of our team have undertaken essential training courses on a huge variety of machines, including telehandlers, sprayers, chainsaws and quad bikes.

“They supported our farm manager with the completion of his BASIS foundation course, and our shepherd has done courses on grassland, nutrition and parasite management.

“They have also helped us to prepare business plans for grant applications. It is a really good use of public money; they enhance technical skills, improve farm safety, provide opportunities to network, and ultimately help to boost farm profitability through better performance.”