Rural and Environment

Farm Advisory Service

September 11, 2019 by admin No Comments | Category Agriculture, Farming, Uncategorized

A survey published today has shown that 90% of farmers and crofters have implemented advice given to them through the Farm Advisory Service.

But what is the Farm Advisory Service and how can it help you?

The Farm Advisory Service provides farmers and crofters from across Scotland with information, resource and advice aimed at increasing the profitability and sustainability of their businesses.

Its services include one to one and one to many support. This report looked at the one to one services, which include offering individuals and businesses specialist advice, a mentoring service, carbon audits, and integrated land management plans.

Does it work though? According to the survey, it does.

Satisfaction with the service is high (79%) with it being perceived to offer high quality, practical advice.

Just over a fifth reported economic benefits by having created additional jobs and 57% said it had helped to safeguard jobs.

Around 60% learned new skills or expected to achieve new skills in the near future.

And 75% had or expected to achieve improved understand of farming or a particular aspect of farming.

Respondents also showed that the service offered real business benefits, such as an average cost reduction of £3,000; increased profits of £5,000; and £9,000 of additional sales.

Importantly, a third of farmers and crofters surveyed also said that they were unlikely to have taken the actions they did to improve their businesses without the support of the Farm Advisory Service.

The Scottish Government is clear, that it has never been more important for farmers and land managers to have a clear understanding of the resilience of their business in the face of current Brexit and market uncertainty. That is why we are about to launch up to £1,000 worth of specialist support and advice for farm resilience planning through the Farm Advisory Service.

So how do you find out how the Farm Advisory Service could benefit you and your business? Simple visit www.fas.scot or contact advice@fas.scot / 0300 323 0161

Tags: brexit, Farm advisory service, Scotland

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