E-subsidies could isolate farmers

5 June 2000



E-subsidies could isolate farmers

by FWi staff

FARMERS could be left out in the cold by government proposals to transfer subsidy claims to the internet, an independent study has warned.

The new study, called “E-Farming or E-Folly?”, says government officials could be moving too fast in efforts to streamline the Ministry of Agriculture.

The report was compiled by Plymouth Universitys Seale-Hayne Faculty of Food, Agriculture and Land Use, Newton Abbot, Devon.

It welcomes the concept of the governments action plan for e-farming, announced last March, and the introduction of funding which would support it.

But it warns that transferring subsidy applications to the internet in order to close regional MAFF offices could be a step too far for many farmers.

The proposal is being considered by agriculture minister Nick Brown but has been condemned by some farmers and unions representing MAFF employees.

The report says that the ministry should carefully assess the potential effect of any closures before shutting down local MAFF offices.

Simply adding e-mail facilities or posting information on the internet does not automatically lead to better communication, it adds.

Officials should particularly examine the possible isolation and alienation of some sizeable groups of farmers, the report concludes.

Martyn Warren, the head of land use and rural management at Seale Hayne, said: “The internet clearly has enormous potential for farmers and the industry.

But he added: The aim of cutting costs drives MAFF to perhaps move faster than the farming community can cope with or adapt to.

Mr Warrens findings were based on a five year study which shows that two thirds of farmers now use computers to assist in running their businesses.

But fewer computers are being used on smaller farms and among older farmers, especially those rearing cattle and sheep.

Piloting of the internet to a small group of farmers met a lukewarm response with some people saying that they found it easier to use fax machines.

Farmers said they lacked training, finding the world wide web difficult to use with little incentive as opposed to using other information sources.

The report also highlights that using the internet does not fit in with the traditional work patterns of farmers, particularly in the growing season.

It suggests that family members need to embrace the new technology if the potential benefit of using the internet is to be maximised.

“Spouses and families already make an enormous contribution to the
running of the farm business and aiming internet services at them may be a powerful catalyst for change, says the report.

It could be that children, for instance, could add internet chores to the traditional ones of feeding the calves and helping with bale stacking.”