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Argyll is still largely an agricultural area with farmers and crofters
engaged in dairy herd activities and raising cattle and sheep for the whoelsale
food markets. Products such as beef, lamb, vension, cheese and milk form
the bulk of the industry in Argyll.
Over the years the industry has been
encouraged to diversify due the the lack of income from these traditional
quarters. Many farmers and crofters are now involved in 2 or 3
different businesses some of which are completely divorced from the
agricultural industry. The proposed reforms to the EU's Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP) may see more of our farms being sold off
for development or being consolidated into larger holdings.
In an effort
to assist farm and croft businesses there are a number of programmes that are
available with the appropriate grant aid.
SEERAD
Scottish farmers
can get assistance from the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs
Department (SEERAD) which has a diverse number of schemes offering grant aid and
advise. One of these instruments which covers the Highlands is the Agricultural
Business Development Scheme (ABDS) and is jointly funded by the Scottish
Executive and the European Union. It is open to
farmers/crofters and immediate family members seeking either to create (or
expand an existing) agricultural or non-agricultural diversification enterprise,
or to invest in the agricultural holding. The scheme has
already assisted a further 572 projects under this latter measure.
There is
no prescriptive list of diversification projects that may be
assisted. It is more important that issues such as demand,
market, compliance with local strategies etc have been thoroughly researched.
To date, projects under the scheme have ranged from the
provision of tourist accommodation to craft shops, wind turbines and sports
facilities.
Funds offered to improve holdings can support a wide range of
capital projects - such as the provision of new livestock accommodation, storage
sheds, investment in information technology or water and electricity.
Crofters Commission
Covering the crofting community
areas, Argyll being part of the overall North West Highland area, the
Commission offers grant assistance to help croft development and sustainability.
There three main grant support instruments are:
- CCAGS - Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants
(Scotland) Scheme
- Croft Entrant Scheme (CES) inconjunction with AIE
- Livestock Improvement Scheme
Currently the islands of Arran and Cumbrae are being concidered for Crofting
Community status which will extend these scheme to the whole area covered by
HIE Argyll and the Islands.
Argyll Agricultural Survey 2003
As part of our developing
role in the Agricultural sector we have assisted with SEERAD's Whole Farm Review
and the Argyll Survey of Agricultural Holdings 2003.
The survey
of agricultural holdings covered the Argyll and Bute area includingArran and the Cumbraes.
The final survey report contains a wealth of information on farming and crofting
issues across Argyll. The survey ran between January and April 2003
with survey forms being sent to over 900 agricultural holdings. The aim of
the survey was to map out the current dynamics of the agricultural sector and
give participants the opportunity to provide views on issues and opportunities
that would help guide future policy development and strategy.
The report can
be download in PDF format from the menu on the right hand side of this
page.
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