A total of £964 million has been allocated to the Rural Affairs and Islands portfolio in the Scottish budget, it was confirmed yesterday (Tuesday, December 20).
The Scottish government said more than £620 million of the fund will provide ongoing agricultural support with the aim of ensuring stability to farmers, crofters and land managers in 2023-2024.
It comes as the first tranche of the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme payments are set to arrive in bank accounts ahead of schedule from today (Wednesday, December 21) before Christmas.
Rural Affairs Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, said Scottish farmers and crofters are vital to the country’s economy and that the Scottish budget for 2023-2024 reflects that.
“Despite the difficult financial circumstances we, like governments all over the world are faced with, the Scottish government has sought to protect financial support for our farmers – to provide cash flow certainty amid these extremely challenging times,” she said.
“In addition, £405.5 million of Basic Payment Scheme and Greening payments have already been made to 17,001 farmers and crofters.
“Within the latest budget, those working the land in the most remote and fragile areas will continue to receive support through the Less Favoured Areas Scheme, which has been allocated £65 million.
“Our ambition to make Scotland a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture is underlined by £44 million of funding.”
The National Test Programme, which has the aim of helping farmers and crofters achieve statutory emissions targets, will see year-two funded with £20 million.
The Less Favoured Area Support Scheme payments are being made a month ahead of previous years and total £55.8 million.
