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New Entrants

The New Entrants to Farming Programme includes numerous activities to aid potential and aspiring new entrants to the agricultural industry.   These activities ensure people are aware of the opportunities that exist and have a skills set and knowledge set that equips them for success in the industry.

Potential new entrants must have the skills and the ability to act upon any opportunities that arise.  The programme aims to provide the skills required to ensure that new entrants have the capability and confidence to develop and build successful businesses.  This will enable new entrants to grasp opportunities that become available.

New entrants, often considered more innovative and likely to invest and adopt new technologies and techniques, are essential for the long-term sustainability of the Scottish farming industry.  However, they are faced with a number of barriers to entry (lack of capital, land being available for starting a business, competition from established farmers, access to finance and servicing debt, etc.) that has meant that many potential new entrants have turned away from farming in favour of other, more financially secure, career options.

The Scottish Government’s New Entrants to Farming Programme, delivered by SAC Consulting, aims to support, enthuse and inspire those who want to join this great industry. The programme provides advice on how to effectively enter and thrive in the industry and the skills required to build profitable, innovative businesses that respond to the industry’s changing economic environment.

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