Welsh Country - Issue88 - May - Jun 19

Welsh Horticulture Industry
Living in Wales we are spoilt with our green open
spaces and I’m pleased that the Welsh Government is
working through a number of projects to support a
sustainable horticulture industry that benefits the people and
environment. The Welsh Horticulture Cluster has identified
ways in which the horticulture supply-chain can work
together to meet the challenges that the industry is constantly
facing. It is so important that there are opportunities for
farmers to diversify and that farmers who wish to diversify
are aware of the support available and literally make the most
of it. It’s vital that existing growers are able to develop their
businesses further and provide a wider variety of fruit and
vegetables. If this can be achieved it will reduce our reliance
on imports, which makes Wales greener, but also builds solid
businesses in the horticultural sector. There is now such an
increasing demand for local food and that of course includes
fruit and vegetables, so I’m encouraged to see Wales backing
such an exciting challenge for this industry.
Kath Rhodes
Tyfu Cymru -
Supporting business growth in the Welsh horticulture sector
Tyfu Cymru is an
exciting programme,
led by Lantra Wales,
offering targeted, bespoke
fully funded support to
generate growth in the
horticulture industry.
Through training and
development Tyfu Cymru
aims to develop the sector
as well as to promote Welsh
horticulture businesses. The
project offers 100% funding
to Welsh businesses through
the Welsh Government
Rural Communities - Rural
Development Programme
2014-2020, which is funded
by the European Agricultural
Fund for Rural Development
and the Welsh Government.
With a range of
strategic, leadership, skills
development, training and
support, Tyfu Cymru’s
services are tailored to the
industry’s requirements,
and are drawn on evidence
gained from Welsh growers,
expert horizon scanning and
an analysis of business needs.
A survey of 120
grower businesses in
Wales undertaken by Tyfu
Cymru found Brexit as a
key concern for the Welsh
horticulture industry,
however many growers
identified that Brexit
may offer expanding
market opportunities for
horticultural products.
Potential opportunities
include developing existing
and new crops, and potential
advancements in extending
the growing season.
So, with Brexit cited
by many growers as an
opportunity to grow, national
campaigns promoting
vegetable consumption and
British grown plants and
flowers making headlines
and with consumer trends
showing an uplift in the
consumer interest in local
produce, food miles and
the environmental impact
of their shopping choices, it
certainly feels like a perfect
time to embrace growth
opportunities in the Welsh
horticulture sector.
But this is not about
growth at any cost. Access to
natural and finite resources,
such as land, energy and
water, are vital to growing
edible and ornamental
produce and the careful
management of these natural
resources is needed to openup
opportunities to expand
horticulture in Wales.
There are also obstacles
to overcome – with many
growers operating on a
small scale, having the
skillsets required to grow
commercially, adapting
growing methods, increasing
production and having the
ability to understand, add
value and market products
according to consumer
demands can be a real
challenge.
Tyfu Cymru aims to work
with growers and producers
across Wales to help them
adapt for the future and
position themselves to
capitalise on development
and these growth
opportunities.
Support is tailored to
each business and managed
through Tyfu Cymru.
Training is available in areas
such as technical advice
through to business support
and available across the
horticulture sector in Wales,
including ornamentals and
edibles.
Through supporting
the innovative and
sustainable development of
the horticulture industry
in Wales, Tyfu Cymru
envisages businesses that are
equipped with the knowledge
and practical skills for green
growth, as well as ensuring
the industry adopts practices
that support natural resource
and waste management,
biodiversity, public
health and the economic
regeneration of rural Wales.
It certainly is an exciting
time to play a part in the
horticulture industry in
Wales…
For more information on
Tyfu Cymru please visit:
tyfucymru.co.uk
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