British farmers and growers are in the midst of a historically significant transition period, as we move to a domestic agricultural policy.
As we also transition from centralised decision-making to increased devolution, local authorities will have a greater role in the future of British food production and maximising the potential of farm businesses to deliver for their local community – not least in terms of economic contribution, rural tourism, and renewable energy production.
Increased devolution provides a huge opportunity for local authorities to offer local solutions for local needs.
For farm businesses, which can be vulnerable to volatile markets, building resilience is key and this often comes in the form of diversification. With 68 per cent of farms in England having diversified into a broad range of enterprises – from wedding venues and B&Bs to farm shops and green energy production – the importance of farm diversification is clear.
While farm diversification has previously been funded and delivered by the EU, the transition brings new forms of diversification funding, including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
Crucially, it also brings new delivery mechanisms through lead local authorities.
This means they can better reflect the needs of rural communities and unleash farm businesses’ potential through diversification projects, not just increasing the production of local, sustainable food, but also boosting rural tourism and the farms’ contribution to the local economy.
The delivery of successful agricultural diversification projects will rely on local authorities working closely with farm businesses and industry stakeholders such as the National Farmers’ Union.
Such representation on advisory boards will be a real help for local authorities in pinpointing the unique factors impacting farming businesses and prioritising appropriate projects, while ensuring that funds aren’t just swept up in larger urban projects.
If local authorities and rural businesses can work together, there are huge benefits to come from this localised way of working.
Farm businesses are the backbone of rural communities and local decision-making around funding can help them to thrive, which can only benefit and strengthen their local communities.