Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014-2020: Evaluation of Capital Grant Schemes: Annex B - Survey data

7. Future grant support

The majority of respondents (82%) reported a current and/or future need for support.

N=179

Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Percentages may total more than 100% as a result.

Question 25 – What does your farm/croft need monetary support for, and why?

Farmers and crofters said that they require continued monetary support for similar things that the capital grant schemes funded (albeit some would be revenue not capital funding). This suggests that the grant schemes have broadly funded the right types of project activity.

The survey findings highlight that monetary support is needed by farmers and crofters for:

• fencing – upkeep and replacement.
• sheds and barns – replacement, repairs, extensions, flooring.
• general infrastructure improvements, including groundworks.
• equipment, machinery, and technology – livestock handling, hardstandings, etc.
• grass reseeding, ditching, improving soil structure, bracken control, hedging, tree planting – help to maintain the land.
• drainage – maintenance and improvements.
• animal welfare improvements and crop management.
• road access improvements
• biosecurity and biodiversity projects.
• slurry storage tanks.
• animal feed.
• activity that supports food security.
• succession planning.
• diversification projects.
• renewable energy projects such as solar panels, battery storage and or windmills.
• training.

Wider comments made relate to the range of challenges farmers and crofters face from price and inflationary pressures – and the importance of continued financial support (grant funding and low/no interest loans) for the agricultural sector and wider supply chain.

Question 26 – What other forms of non-monetary support would your business find helpful?

Farmers and crofters said they need non-monetary support such as:

• advice and guidance, including on current methods of improvement and production, livestock treatment and management, crofting issues, form filling.
• help with route to market.
• training, events, and webinars – for example on modern/regenerative farming practices, animal health and welfare, supply chain support, etc – knowledge and skills development and sharing of experiences.
• recruitment support, sourcing labour.
• climate friendly production.
• clear and timely information on new support systems, subsidies, etc.

N=179

Question 27a – Why do you say this?

Farmers and crofters who indicated that an online application process for future grant schemes would not make it difficult or prevent them from applying said that:

• an online system is a sensible approach – as most things are done online nowadays – but they also said that it would be important to recognise that some farmers and crofters do not have good digital skills or are less computer literate and would find and online process difficult. A suggestion included having both paper and online options.
• an online system would be beneficial – for example, it would: make applying for grant funding easier and less time consuming; help applicants keep track of submitted applications; and speed up the application, assessment, and claims process.
• an online application process would be better for the environment – for example, printing less paper.
• some farmers and crofters use external agents, and so changing the application process would make no difference to them personally.

Farmers and crofters who indicated that an online application process for future grant schemes would make it difficult or prevent them from applying raised various issues including that:

• some population groups may lack digital skills, are not computer literate or tech savvy, or may find online forms complicated or difficult to read and would need help and support to do it – for example older people, disabled people. It would be important to ensure the target audience for grant funding are not unintentionally excluded.
• poor, slow, or unreliable internet connectivity could make completing an online application form difficult.
• farmers and crofters would still like to speak with staff in local RPID offices, including in-person support and advice – it is sometimes easier to speak with someone directly to ask queries or ask for points of clarification.
• not all farmers and crofters have access to a computer, and wider concerns about data loss and cyber security are raised in survey responses.
• this would depend on the quality of the online application design and process – for example: functionality and intuitiveness of the online process; ability to see the whole form from beginning to end; ability to understand and fill in forms correctly; ability to start, save, and come back to finish it; ease of correcting mistakes; ability to upload all necessary documents required; and ease of keeping track of submitted applications’ progress.
• they would like to have the option of how to apply for grant funding.

Farmers and crofters who indicated that they are not sure whether an online application process for future grant schemes would make it difficult or prevent them from applying raised issues touched on above – that is, they highlighted the potential advantages and disadvantages of moving to an online application process.

Wider points raised by farmers and crofters echoed earlier feedback around the need for any future application process (online and/or paper-based) to be refreshed, streamlined, and simplified to help make it more accessible to crofters and small farmers without needing to access/pay for professional support from agents. That is, the online system should not be identical to the current paper-based forms.