Farm Advisory Service

challenges of climate change and more erratic weather incidents,” says Alastair Williamson, CEO at Wyld Networks. “But the smart agriculture revolution is being held back by the lack of ubiquitous global connectivity. With an estimated 15% of the earth’s surface covered by existing cellular networks, low earth orbiting satellites provide the low-cost solution needed to catapult agricultural IoT growth around the world.”

A berry good idea – fruit growers and data scientists in landmark AI project

Data scientists at the University of Aberdeen are teaming up with fruit growers to build an artificial intelligence (AI) system to forecast harvests, which could potentially save the industry millions each year.

The machine learning system for soft fruit yield forecasting is a three-year collaboration involving the University, Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI The Data Lab, and Arbroath-based Angus Soft Fruits Ltd.

It aims to better harness key information such as historical yield and weather data, weather forecasts and satellite imaging, and expert knowledge from growers, to develop algorithms that accurately forecast production and measure uncertainty.

With an estimated annual production of more than 2,900 tonnes of raspberries and 25,000 tonnes of strawberries, inaccurate yield forecasting costs Scotland’s fruit growers millions each year.

The development of an intelligent and inexpensive forecasting system could prove crucial in ensuring profitability for growers, leading to more efficiencies in sales and packing and transport planning, while enhancing their reputation with customers and limiting food waste and associated carbon emissions.

Georgios Leontidis, Director of the University’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Data and Artificial Intelligence, said: “We are delighted to team up with Angus Soft Fruits Ltd and The Data Lab in this exciting project that could prove to be a gamechanger for an industry worth millions to Scotland’s economy.

Integrated Land Management Plans (ILMP)

Scottish Government has announced a series of changes to funding requirements for access to Integrated Land Management Plans (ILMP) and specialist advice support for farmers, crofters and land managers. The changes are designed to ease access to expert business development support, making it easier for agri businesses to benefit from independent, impartial advice on potential growth opportunities and improvements.

Specialist advice funding available without need for prior ILMP Access to specialist advice support no longer requires applicants to apply for, or have completed, an ILMP, prior to accessing funding. Farming and crofting businesses can now apply directly for up to £1000 of funding for specialist advice on a range of topics, including new areas covering: • Carbon audit action implementation planning – follow up support for businesses who have received a carbon audit and need further advice and support to implement their action plan. • Crofter’s plan – a thorough and impartial review of your business by an experienced crofting adviser, resulting in a flexible, tailored advice plan specific to the needs of your crofting business.

Free ILMPs for new entrants As part of the changes to funding, new entrants (businesses operating for 5 years or less), can now apply for up to £1,200 of government funding to cover the full costs of an ILMP. The participating business will only need to pay the VAT element.

An ILMP is designed to provide business owners and managers with clear, practical advice on how best to achieve business goals. Independent and confidential, an adviser will work with you to explore the potential to develop competitive advantage or technical excellence in areas where the business is strong or has growth potential.

Reset of applications cap per business From 1 April, restrictions on the number of ILMPs and specialist advice reports a single business can undertake will reset. This means farming and crofting businesses who have already completed an ILMP and 2 follow on specialist advice reports, can now apply for the same level of support for a second time round. i.e. apply for a new ILMP and up to a maximum of 2 follow up specialist advice reports.

Whether you’re setting up as a new entrant or have been running an established business for many years, funding support for business development advice could help you improve operational performance and identify opportunities to grow your business further.

Take advantage of free government funding through FAS to realise your business goals.www.fas.scot/advicegrants