AdewebsHow To Start Farming In Uk- Food and drink manufacturing in the United Kingdom generates about £120 billion in annual revenue, with farming as its foundation. British farming accounts for 64% of the food consumed in the United Kingdom, an increase of 2% over last year.
So the question is, how can I become a farmer in the UK? To start a farming business in the United Kingdom, what you need is, a piece of land, a niche in farming, registering with the appropriate body, getting the right information on your selected area, then you can start your farming career extensively.
So in today’s guide, we will be writing extensively on how to start farming in the UK and all you need to know to get started as a farmer.
How To Start Farming In UK Beginners Guide
Following are the steps needed to start your career as a farmer in the United Kingdom;
Step 1: Get Fund to start your farm
No matter what kind of business you run, you’ll always require funding to keep it going. You can use this money for a variety of purposes, including purchasing stock, paying your employees, or fixing your electricity.
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Your farming is the same. To begin a farm, you’ll need money to acquire land, purchase agricultural supplies such as seeds, purchase farm equipment, and so on.
Grants, family support, personal savings, or bank loans can all be used to fund your farming enterprise.
Step 2: Select Interested Farming Area
Cultivation can be divided into several categories, the two most important of which are livestock and crop farming. It is important to determine what type of farming intends to start.
This will have a huge impact on your Farming guide, as well as the knowledge you’ll require.
Step 3: Learn About Your Chosen Area
The next step in starting a farm comes after you’ve raised the necessary funds and chosen a location for your operation. It’s now time to do some research about the farming niche you’ve chosen.
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You can learn about your chosen field by reading books, watching YouTube videos, or visiting a farm in your neighborhood.
Step 4: Buy Farmland
When contemplating the purchase of farmland, there are numerous aspects to take into account. Does it have good soil and is it easily accessible by main highways? If so, is it a good fit for your crops or animal? The list goes on.
Step 5: Draw a Business Plan
The next step is to sketch up your farm’s business plan and envision what it will look like.
If you need help creating a business plan for a farm, please leave a comment in the box below.
Step 6: Start land preparation
You’ll need to clear the land of trees and other obstructions.
Step 7: Start Farming
It’s now time to become serious about your farming endeavors and stick with your business objectives.
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What Does UK Farming Sector Looks Like Right?
The onset of the coronavirus pandemic severely impacted farming profits, and they have been unable to recover since.
The total income from farming is expected to have decreased by £768 million (15.7 percent) from 2019 according to ONS estimates released in 2021. Since 2007, that’s the lowest price we’ve seen.
COVID-19, on the other hand, is not the only culprit. The dry season, which jeopardized wheat and potato production, cost the industry £999 million in lost profits, according to the research.
Farms in the UK have also been devastated by Brexit. Many farmers were reportedly dumping their fresh milk down the drain since there were no delivery drivers to pick it up because of a shortage of HGV drivers.
The government of the United Kingdom is taking action. Up to £100,000 will be paid out as part of a new award program aimed at reinvigorating the sector and bringing in more innovative and sustainable solutions.
In the next years, additional government assistance will be required to help farmers deal with the consequences of these and other commercial issues.
What Are The Licenses Needed To Start Farming In the UK?
When starting a farm, you’ll have to comply with a slew of rules and regulations that you’ll have to become familiar with. Depending on the type of farm you run, you may have to adhere to a different set of regulations.
According to the laws in place for the health and safety of both the animals and crops on your farm, you must abide by them. Included here are:
Planning permission:
You must get permission from your local government if you want to change the use of your farm or property, or build a house.
Registration with the DVLA is required for all farm vehicles and the vehicles must meet the health and safety criteria.
Registration with the Rural Land Register is a requirement for land used for agricultural reasons.
You must register with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) if your farm produces milk products in order to ensure food safety in the United Kingdom.
Health and safety:
On farms, the Health and Safety Executive has issued guidelines for agricultural health and safety, and you must follow them (HSE). Such as checking out structures or dangerous chemicals or livestock handling, risk assessments are required when they’re necessary.
As a way to ensure that food is high quality and traceable (Red Tractor) or that organic agricultural methods have been applied (Organic Farming Initiative) (Soil Association organic certification).
Types Of Farming You Can Start In the UK
Following are a few selected agricultural niches you can venture into in the UK;
Poultry Farming In the UK:
Decide whether you want to raise chickens for eggs (layers) or meat (broilers)
Consider where the hens will be raised in a barn or out in the open.
Make a decision on the sort of fowl you want to raise. Poultry farms can raise a variety of birds in addition to chickens, including ducks, geese, and turkeys.
Make a list of the tools you’ll need to keep your poultry safe and secure from predators in general.
How To Start an organic vegetable farm in the UK:
Find out if the area and soil you’ll be farming on can support the type of veggies you wish to plant. Consider the irrigation method you’ll need to irrigate your vegetables.
Be clear on what type of product you plan to plant, and make sure you have all the necessary certifications in place if you plan to grow organically
Examine the number of distinct cultivars and types of each vegetable you intend to cultivate.
How much money do you need to start a farm UK?
Getting started with a farming business in the UK, it will cost an average of £21,500 or above.
How many acres qualify as a farm UK?
In UK you will need about 12 acres for your farm to qualify to be called a farm.
How much does a farmer earn the UK?
Averagely a UK farmer earns at least 60,000 Euros and above.
Conclusion
To get started with farming in the UK, you will need a piece of land, some licenses, knowledge of the farming niche you want to engage and other relevant information to get started with.
