Farming Connect programme gets £11m to help implement SFS
© Adobe Stock The Welsh government has allocated £11m to its Farming Connect programme to help it support farmers as they prepare for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
The SFS launched on 1 January, and applications may be made using the single application form via Rural Payments Wales Online from March through to 15 May each year.
The new scheme will replace the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), which is being phased out as the main farm support.
See also: Sustainable Farming Scheme launches as Welsh farmers weigh up options
Farming Connect, the Welsh government said, will be an integral part of the SFS and will support its implementation.
Deputy first minister with responsibility for climate change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “I’m pleased to announce an initial £11m so Farming Connect can keep providing its important services to farmers across Wales for another year.”
That support, he added, is more important than ever.
“Farming Connect will play a key role in helping farmers move towards the Sustainable Farming Scheme, and this funding shows our commitment to supporting them through that transition,” he said.
Key aims
The key aims of the Farming Connect programme, which is delivered by Mentera, is to assist farm businesses in increasing resilience and productivity by focusing on areas such as improving soil health, animal health and welfare, pest management, benchmarking, and developing additional skills and knowledge across a range of subjects.
Eirwen Williams, director of rural programmes with Mentera, said: “We are proud of our record in delivering the Farming Connect programme on behalf of the Welsh government since 2011 and we are delighted to be able to continue this work at such a crucial time for Welsh farming.”
The priority, she added, is to keep supporting Wales’ rural industry with practical, trusted services that help farm businesses move forward.
“We’re committed to being a steady, constructive partner for the sector as it navigates the changes ahead,” she said.
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