BRIGHT FUTURE FOR BRITISH FARMING AS SAINSBURY'S INVESTS £1M by Benson Agoha

* Livestock.

The future of British farming is looking rosier by the day.

Sainsbury's Supermarket, Britains second largest retail giant has announced plan to invest £1million to help shape the future of British farming.

Making the announcement during their annual farming conference, Sainsbury's said the investment grants, handed out to famers, growers and suppliers, was to help drive the future of agriculture in Britain.

The gesture, part of Sainsbury's 20x20 sustainability plan, is designated for 13 allocated projects to help improve animal health and welfare, efficiencies and supply chain resilience at field level, as well as help develop new products and processes that will contribute to quality improvement, taste and freshness.

Sainsbury's said the application for entries was opened in September to its 2,500 local farmers and growers.

The High Street retailer said the scheme, supported by Farming Minister, David Heath, saw 56 entries submitted, out of which 21 were shortlisted across 14 sectors.

"The average awarded amount per project is £77,000 including a project to investigate methods of improving the yield of UK pears by optimising pollination." the grocer said.

Sainsbury's said the investment is in line with it's commitment to working closely with farmers and growers to "restore biodiversity, protect our natural resources and habitats and raise environmental, animal welfare and social standards throughout our supply chain."

The news is welcome follow-up to Tesco's Farmer Foundation initiative targetted at attracting young people into farming.

On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, Woolwich Online reported that Tesco launched a new farming initiative called Future Farmer Foundation, designed to support the next generation of British farmers.

The scheme encouraged, young decendants of farming families and other young people who aspire to go into farming to enrol into the foundation where a package of `leadership training, business planning techniques, mentoring, supply chain experience and networking opportunities', in the first year of the foundation.

Tesco said it would sponsor not less than 15 young people into the foundation will be free for participants, as successful applicants will also be able to choose a programme suited to their own aspirations and business needs.
Good news then for the future of local farming as others big grocers look set to introduce more farming schemes.

* Twitter: @bensonagoha.
* Twitter: @woolwichonline.

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