Poland is an Eastern European country which has been preparing to enter the European common market for the last 5 years. It has had available to it large amounts of pre-accession funds to help its industries to adjust to European standards. These funds (known as SAPARD) are not freely available. They are managed by a special department/Agency known as the agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (ARMA). Estimates suggest that only 60% of the funds available will actually be taken up by schemes. There seems to be little evidence of what needs to be done by potential claimants to get these funds and poor advice given to create routes to obtaining them.
The advent of single farm payments is encouraging many farmers to take a fresh look at their business and seek new commercial opportunities away from primary food production.
A recent study found that over half of farmers in the UK are presently considering options outside conventional agriculture and that for many, especially smaller family farms, some form of specialisation/diversification is essential if the farm business is to remain viable into the future.
However, there is already an oversupply in some areas of the country for traditional forms of farm tourism and this can only get worse if present trends continue.
There are two ways to resolve the problem:
* Encourage farmers to think more laterally about the type of tourism product they wish to provide by considering new and niche markets.
* Grow demand through strategic marketing and promotion of the industry.
My study took me to New Zealand to look at niche markets while within Europe I concentrated on marketing and promotion and met with representatives from over a dozen national farm and rural tourism organisations. The marketing and promotion conclusions are based on all these meetings, with particular attention paid to Italy and Austria.
The profitability of British agriculture has been in doubt for many years and its future uncertain. This has prompted many farmers and landowners to diversify into farm tourism and its associated businesses to provide additional farm income.
The author begins his report by outlining how the introduction of single farm payments and the decoupling of subsidies from production have prompted many farmers to consider their business in a different way and seek new commercial opportunities away from food production. Farm tourism is explained at the outset of the report and the need to specialise and target specific niche markets emphasised. Particular attention is placed on the New Zealand industry, as this is now the largest earner of overseas revenue, second to agricultural produce. Examples are included, ranging from "Zorbing" to wildlife tours and fishing, demonstrating how such activities can be applied to the UK. Most activities here are run by a company, who then pay the farmer/landowner a fee for land use. Many other examples are also considered, in addition to the need for a harmonised quality assurance scheme, which Italy currently does not operate. Furthermore, various marketing strategies are outlined, demonstrating the need for farm tourism to be a part of rural tourism to have any major impact in terms of branding and awareness.
The author visited New Zealand and traveled across Europe, focusing particularly upon Italy and Austria, as part of the report.
Agriculture in the current world climate is being pressurised to reduce costs and increase yields to feed an ever increasing world population, but yet also improve the effect that the industry has upon the environment. Although these do not naturally complement each other, a system of crop production known as Conservation Agriculture (CA) may provide a method by which this can be achieved.
This report explores the origin and development of CA systems in South America, the benefits of such an approach and whether such a system could be viable within Europe. The author begins by outlining the system, detailing its activities and popularity by demonstrating the areas under CA, highlighting the USA as having the largest area currently being farmed under this practice. The report follows a simple structure, detailing the system itself, agronomy and parties involved in four countries, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. The information found from the studies is then coherently concluded and recommendations made for its use in the UK and Ireland, emphasising the need for cover crops to protect soil that is not cultivated and for the provision of herbicide choice, as weed control is a common problem.
John Geraghty visited Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay to complete his report.
As climate change becomes a controversial topic in world affairs, governments and citizens are being urged to change attitudes and economic activities to help reduce their impact upon the environment. Energy crops are now becoming recognised as an alternative source of fuel/power and the decoupling of agricultural subsidies provides an opportunity for farmers to grow alternative crops for new markets.
This report begins by outlining the key drivers for adopting renewable energy within the UK, including the consideration of economic, political and climate change factors. After briefly mentioning other potential energy crops, such as Miscanthus, the author focuses on Willow Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). Details of the crop and its uses make up the majority of the report, firstly outlining its benefits, such as its environmentally friendly nature in terms of its ability to support a wide variety of biodiversity, as well as varieties available, its agronomy, harvest operations and a break-down of the economics of the crop compared with traditional crops. Markets for the crop are discussed in addition to incentives being offered by the government such as bioenergy capital grants, before drawing concise conclusions and recommendations.
The author travelled to parts of Scandinavia, Denmark and Austria, in addition to UK travel to allow the production of this report.
As commodity prices remain low there is a requirement to search for alternative uses for grain outside of the food chain. This will increase demand and hopefully therefore adjust the price accordingly, whilst also having environmental benefits.
This report begins by outlining the uses of wheat outside of the food chain such as for ethanol production in North America and throughout the EU and as plastic packaging through the development of PLA plastics by fermentation. The author analyses the potential of biotechnology and hybridisation as a means of developing new markets for wheat before discussing the public's perception of the alternative uses of wheat. The author concludes this scientific report with there being enormous potential for the alternative uses of wheat in the UK as is evident with ethanol and plastics where the pressure to reduce landfill will increase its uptake. However if GM opportunities are to be seized, there needs to be considerable government and public change of attitude.
The author visited the USA, Canada and travelled across Europe to produce this report.
Camellia production in the UK is small scale and has very limited markets available to it. Nevertheless there are many market opportunities available for the plant, but development of these is required before they can become commercial options.
This report firstly reviews the products that the plant offers, notably foliage, flowers and plants, oil, fruit and tea. Nevertheless, the author eliminates oil and fruit from the investigation early on, as they were identified as having little potential for development within the UK. Considerable focus is given to tea, with comparisons made to production and marketing abroad with an assessment of whether tea could be produced in the UK in terms of the conditions it requires. Conclusions are clearly drawn and presented showing that tea has the most potential within the UK, whilst the volume of camellia sold as garden plants could be increased and scope for the development of the foliage market also exists.
Outside of the UK and Europe, the author visited Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China, Taiwan, India and Sri Lanka.
Changing external conditions and the development of a global world and the associated market place has prompted many farmers to alter their production choices and diversify into bioenergy.
This report incorporates the reasons why this has occurred, the methods by which bioenergy can be generated (such as wind or ethanol production from wheat) and organised and finally the effects that this has on farmers and their wider communities. The author develops how many farmers have considered this option due to tighter regulation, such as that created by tighter waste management legislation, increasing costs and poor commodity prices. Therefore the decision is mainly forced rather than to broaden the business for other benefits. The benefits and problems associated with bioenergy are included alongside the organisational models of the USA which aim to integrate the farmer with the consumer as has been lost with traditional agriculture. This is concluded demonstrating how this will have to be embraced at some point in the future, despite the timescale being unclear.
The author visited Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, USA and Switzerland to compile the report.
Falling commodity prices and other recent crises within the farming community such as BSE and Foot and Mouth have prompted many farmers to look at and partake in other business enterprises to supplement their declining agricultural income.
This report is a background into diversification and the likelihood of it working, discovering that it is important to get the balance between traditional and new business right and to establish enterprises that can specifically work with the existing business and its location. Various diversification possibilities, such as tourism and accommodation provision, being conducted in Scandinavia and Greece are analysed in considerable detail and evaluating the role of women in such new ventures. Aquaculture as an individual diversified business is discussed with reference to abroad and clearly linking this to the Welsh industry and what the future holds as a result of activities abroad. As result it is evident that whatever business farms diversify into, it must be carefully planned with realistic business and marketing plans.
The author visited parts of Scandinavia, including Norway, and Greece to enable the completion of this report.
The substantial change currently operating within UK agriculture prompts the need to seek alternative sources of income. Furthermore the British public is changing and are demanding more leisure time and activities within the countryside. This therefore represents an opportunity that must be seized, as the customer base increases.
This report firstly examines why farmers want to diversify beyond the obvious financial motivation, ensuring that reactive changes are converted to proactive entrepreneurship thus improving the likelihood of success. The importance of identifying opportunities that will practically fit in with the present farming operation and the location of the farm itself are emphasised. Consideration is given to many influencing factors such as the effect this will have on staff, planning permission, insurance and liabilities and most importantly the market which will ultimately determine success. The author concludes with the main theme that a range of business skills are required and that farmers are no longer in agriculture but land use. Recommendations are given to provide a thorough guide to success for readers.
The author travelled to New Zealand and the USA to complete this report.
As the UK agricultural industry faces significant difficulties due to poor and falling global prices, the equine industry is growing therefore offering the opportunity for a symbiotic relationship, whereby diversification into the horse industry could satisfy market demand whilst supplementing declining farm incomes.
The author explores the importance of the British sporting industry in terms of economic and other less tangible benefits, but yet considering the challenges it faces such as the lack of a progressive national breeding structure and planning permission in rural areas. Other countries' enterprises abroad are compared to that of the UK, focussing on Germany and Holland, and identifying the opportunities within the UK as is evident with huge popularity of the sport as a leisure pursuit. The importance of sustainability within the industry is emphasised indicating the need to recognise professional standards. This is concluded presenting how the UK is behind equine businesses abroad and recommendations of solutions are shown here as is the need to raise the profile of the sport.
Felicity visited Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Holland, Belgium and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to produce this report.
As margins become even tighter for producers growing commodity crops competing in a global market place, many are looking for innovative ways in which to use agricultural land for other, more profitable purposes.
This report investigates the methods of production and marketing of poplar trees in the countries with a tradition for producing them. The author outlines why the business has become so successful in other countries to enable opportunities for UK producers to be identified and what advantages or disadvantages we may have over European and South American producers. The author analyses the UK and worldwide situation with reference to variety selection and production methods such as the use of irrigation and undertaking pruning. The markets for the product are discussed and processing the product for different uses is also incorporated. This is concluded emphasising the need to treat this operation as growing a crop rather than managing woodland and the importance to produce quality which is well rewarded, when sold.
The author visited Chile, Argentina, Italy, France and Spain as part of the production of this report.
The UK Game industry is a thriving unsubsidised rural activity. The aim of the UK Game rearer is to produce a healthy, well feathered pheasant poult at six to eight weeks of age.
This report covers various rearing methods from around the world, including the type of housing, bedding and brooders used. Furthermore the diet of the birds is considered and considerable focus given to the threats and problems of rearing birds such as disease and cannibalism. This can be reduced through beak trimming, light reduction and lower stocking densities, despite increasing costs. The author considers predators such as foxes and in particular, birds of prey which can destroy weeks' worth of work. These same criteria are discussed across all three countries with reference to producing a bird that satisfies the specific market of that country. This is clearly concluded in relation to the need to promote field sports to enable the Game rearers' market to be maintained.
The author visited France and the USA, alongside travel throughout the UK to produce this report.
Deer farming is currently enjoying a stable period with reasonable margins, compared to the crisis facing mainstream agriculture. However after the BSE crisis the deer industry has also suffered with new regulations affecting the treatment and sale of co-products from venison production.
This report considers the use and marketing of venison co-products around the world. The author firstly outlines the various co-products that exist including tails, which are used to feed to malnourished children in China, and hides, used to produce high quality leather. The author examines the deer industry in New Zealand and China, demonstrating their trade in venison co-products and highlighting that Hong Kong represents the world market place for such products as they are all widely available. This is concluded showing how many co-products will develop over the years and establish themselves in the UK market, particularly velvet if current laws are reviewed. Furthermore it is evident that processors need to present the by-products to a more acceptable standard if higher sales are to be achieved.
The author visited New Zealand and travelled across South-east Asia to enable the compilation of this report.
In recent years, the Christmas tree industry has moved from a "thinning" crop in forestry planted on poor land, to a monoculture, highly intensive horticultural crop grown on well-drained, fertile land. However the industry has not moved forward in terms of all operations from production, to distribution and selling.
This report begins with an introduction to the background of Christmas tree production and an insight into the consumer's view of artificial and real trees. The author develops the report with information on the seed source of the trees and a variety analysis, showing the environmental conditions preferred by each. Management practices are analysed including the use of pesticides to control mites which feed on the needles. Marketing is also considered, with considerable focus on retailing, identifying that sites on producers' farms sell the largest number of real tress. The author then coherently concludes to show that detailed management is essential and that marketing must be targeted at the family hazard group if sales are to be increased.
The author travelled to Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, Germany and throughout Britain to produce this report.
