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14 March 2023
In partnership with SAOS and the Scottish Smallholders Association, the Scottish Government has convened an industry-led steering group to co-design its Small Producers Pilot Fund ahead of its official launch.
The aim of the fund is to help individual small producers increase their resilience and enhance their contribution to the rural economy through improved access to training, skills, further processing, and food supply chains – all helping producers become more sustainable.
The fund, launching later this year, will enable small producers to contribute to delivering the Scottish Government’s Vision for Agriculture, the Scottish Government’s Good Food Nation ambitions and Local Food Strategy.
Speaking at the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's 50th Conference, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, said: “We are committed to ensuring accessible support for small producers and small businesses, including small scale food production and processing.
“This pilot aims to support smaller producers to increase in the proportion of food grown and processed by small farms and small holders and consumed locally by the community, including for people on low incomes affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
“Working with industry, we will design a flexible approach to funding that supports local food supply chains, improves access to the right training opportunities and helps link together small producers into existing abattoirs.”
Helen Glass, SAOS Business Development Manager, added: ”The pilot will help to create more-localised food supply chains, helping enhance producer value and cutting food miles. Additionally, it will provide the opportunity to support individual small producers in developing their skills and will be key to supporting these producers in enhancing the vital contribution they already make to the rural economy.”
SAOS will chair the Steering Group over the course of 2023 and there will be an opportunity for small producers to engage with the development of the pilot either through one of the stakeholder associations or directly with SAOS. All enquiries should be directed to helen.glass@saos.coop