PLANS have been revealed for a £100,000 fund to help attract new farmers into the industry.
The Young Person’s Agricultural Enterprise Fund has been announced by the Scottish Conservatives.
And they say it could bring 500 youngsters into the sector.
The scheme would be similar to The Young Farmers Start-Up Grant but would incorporate further payments for farmers who want to branch out into agri-tourism or other projects.
The party envisages they would issue up to 500 new grants to young farmers under the age of 41.
The Conservatives shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Rachael Hamilton said: “All too often under the SNP-Green government, young people in our rural and remote communities are facing far too many barriers to enter the world of farmers.
“Previous schemes to support young entrants into the sector were extremely popular but ministers have failed to continue them.
“That is why I am delighted to announce that the Scottish Conservatives are committed to introducing a Young Person’s Agricultural Enterprise Fund– worth up to nearly £100,000 for successful applicants – in order to attract 500 new farmers into the industry.
“Every young person living in rural Scotland should have the opportunity to farm if they wish to do.
“We want to be as ambitious as possible in ensuring that we have the farmers in place to continue to produce high-quality food for generations to come and I urge SNP-Green ministers to adopt our plans.”
