AgriScot Diversified Farm of the Year Award

Working in diversification

As part of an offering which encompasses environmental or woodlands and forestry expertise, the Food and Enterprise Team in particular works with many farms, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and rural estates to offer knowledge, advice, planning and support to clarify opportunities to diversify their business.

“Across Scotland, many farm businesses have successfully diversified to create new on-farm enterprises and income streams. This award offers the opportunity to showcase and celebrate this forward thinking and innovation, and to be an ambassador for Scottish farming.”

– Ceri Ritchie, Sector Manager, Food and Enterprise Team

The importance of diversification

Insights from the Scottish Farm Business Survey, performed by SAC Consulting for the Scottish Government, offer a data-led window into the trends and themes which matter most to farming in Scotland.

Over the last five years the survey’s results have highlighted the importance of diversification as farm incomes come under pressure and are subject to the uncertainties of the global climate emergency, changes in agricultural policy and the volatile nature of input costs.

“Farms that diversify show significantly increased farm business income with often quite straightforward diversifications, which do not require large amounts of capital. Diversification has the potential for farmers to generate new income streams and provide a sustainable future for their farming business.”

– Sascha Grierson, Senior Project Manager, Scottish Farm Business Survey