RURAL Secretary Fergus Ewing MSP has confirmed £4.2 million in grants will be made available to support new farmers to pursue a career in agriculture.
The latest award sees 81 applicants receive a share of the funding, which will help to create and develop their businesses. Announcing the funding, Mr Ewing said: ‘It’s vital to the sustainability of agriculture in Scotland that we do everything in our power to encourage new entrants to farming.
‘With the average age of Scottish farmers currently close to 60 years old, there is, of course, an emphasis on encouraging young people to farming, but new entrants of any age are welcome and can help to drive innovation and improve best practise across the industry, while contributing to the economic vitality of the sector.