Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system in Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme: Island Communities Impact Assessment

3. Step Two – Gather your data and identify your stakeholders

(1) Other Islands include: Colonsay, Jura, Islay, Gigha, Mull, Tiree, Coll, Arran, Bute & Cumbrae, Skye, Rhum, Eigg, Muck and Cana.

The farming activities on the islands are generally more small scale than large scale. For example, in Shetland, on the 1,628 holdings there are only 97 full time employees and 216 part-time employees. The corresponding figures for Orkney and Na h-Eileanan Siar are 1,616 holdings and 341 and 234 employees; 5,091 holdings and 143 and 312 employees respectively. There are relatively small numbers of regular-full time staff in the islands areas, with generally a higher number in most areas of regular part-time staff. There are much smaller numbers of casual and regional staff.

Across the islands as a whole, the make-up of the population is similar. In 2022 the 45-64 year olds make up the largest age group (see slide 13). There has been a large increase in the 65-74 and 74+ age groups across all the islands (2002-2022 – see slide 14). Characteristics of the islands have similarities with some areas of the mainland, particularly the northwest, west and upland areas and there is little difference between the islands and these areas of the mainland.

Crofting is a key farming activity on the islands, as it is in north-west and northern areas of Scotland. The Economic condition of crofting: 2019 to 2022 report, based on a survey of crofters in summer 2022 (942 surveys received from 4,000 participants), was considered to be representative of the crofting population by local authority and tenure. The report found that crofters tend to be male, living in a two person household and are aged over 55. The proportion of female crofters has increased from 13% in 2014 to 30% in 2022. The proportion of crofters who receive no revenue from crofting increased from 25% in 2018 to 38% in 2022. While the number of crofters receiving an income of £10,000 or less from crofting-based activities has remained the same as 2018 (53%), the number earning more than £10,000 has decreased. The average income was £4,538. Some 82% of crofters reported either no running costs relating to their crofting-based activities or running costs under £5,001. The average was £5,145, which is similar to 2018. Over the last 12 months, 43% of crofters received an income from grants or support schemes. Most crofters were in agreement that crofting is not economically viable without household members supplementing their income from non-crofting activities (92%), consistent with the findings from 2018 (95%).

Just under a third of crofters in the survey have looked for advice or support on crofting activities in the last 12 months (30% in 2022 and 33% in 2018). The category of “Crofting Commission, Commissioner or local Crofting Commission Assessor” is the most popular source of advice and support that crofters use. This is an increase from 50% in 2018 to 60% in 2022. Other sources include Rural Payments and Inspections Division Offices, the Scottish Rural Development Programme website, family and friends, crofting community, Scottish Crofting Federation, Grazing clerk/constable or committee, and Farm Advisory Service.

The survey found that the number of crofters who are planning to invest in the future increased from 48% in 2018 to 62% in 2022. Investment is most likely to be undertaken in livestock (52%), followed by crops (30%), and forestry and woodland creation (22%). The survey found that there are obstacles around undertaking peatland restoration, biodiversity activities, and forestry and woodland creation. The most common obstacles to undertaking these activities are a lack of information (38%), and uncertainty of the potential benefit (37%).

The report Rural and Agricultural Development: Maximising the potential in the islands of Orkney, Shetland and Outer Hebrides (July 2024), which explores the potential impacts of agricultural and land use policy changes for communities across the island groups, comments on the cost of CPD to islanders. It states:

… similar to additional costs of certification required for livestock haulage over a certain distance, the cost of legally required CPD for activities such as use of herbicides and sheep dipping falls heavier on smaller producers and crofters given their turnover relative to farming businesses, with some choosing to opt out, with potential impacts on production efficiency and output as a result. Moreover, CPD and attendance of meetings, etc. can be logistically challenging for those part-time farmers and crofters that are working (particularly full-time) off-farm/croft. It is essential that in the design of future AKIS (Agricultural Knowledge and Information System) for Scotland that effective engagement with small and part time businesses, alongside hard to reach (often digitally remote) groups are embedded in the design. (pp 150-151)

In the SWOT in the report, it makes the following statements:

Weaknesses

“Skills gaps (so lacking in understanding and confidence to prepare for change): Emerging policy and market expectations (plus climate adaptation) demand new skills which are often currently lacking. Links to opportunities for knowledge exchange but also to threats around lack of access to advisory support” (para 469).

“Small-scale production has higher fixed overheads (so disproportionately affected by some costs): Some proposed policy measures, notably plans and CPD, have a high fixed cost element that does not vary with business size. As such, they impact disproportionately on smaller producers. Links to opportunities for a small recipients’ scheme but also to threats around funding not covering compliance costs” (para 464)

Opportunities

“Knowledge exchange through facilitated peer networks (to combine local and outside skills): Local tacit knowledge could and should be harnessed to tailor management prescriptions (and adaptive capacity) to local circumstances, but needs to be combined with external knowledge on less familiar, emerging policy and market demands. The role of such knowledge, use of trusted local networks, and key stakeholders should be better defined in future AKIS for Scotland. Countered by threats relating to availability and affordability of external facilitators and advisors.” (para 478)

It is not known how many farmers and crofters in the islands participate in CPD activities and record them. This figure is also not known for Scotland as a whole. It is known that farmers and crofters are participating in activities that are seen to contribute to CPD. It is not known how current engagement in CPD activities varies between the Islands. This is also the same as for Scotland as a whole.

We are aware of local concerns from the islands and the mainland on access to and capacity of advisors and advisory services. There are some advisory services available on the islands, for example through the Farm Advisory Service and SRUC Consulting. Every CPD activity does not require an advisor to be present and a crofter could undertake a range of CPD activities without engaging with an advisor. They can also use a wide range of activities from the Farm Advisory Service – including for example publications, reports, videos, webinars - which provides professional advice from advisors.

There are a range of activities provided on the Islands that can help to contribute towards CPD. The Economic condition of crofting: 2019 to 2022 report noted that a range of different sources were used to look for advice and support. The most popular category was “Crofting Commission, Commissioner or local Crofting Commission Assessor”. Others included Rural Payments and Inspections Division Offices, the Scottish Rural Development Programme website, family and friends, crofting community, Scottish Crofting Federation, Grazing clerk/constable or committee, Farm Advisory Service.

For example, attendance at a Crofting Discussion Group on Tiree provided through the Farm Advisory Service would contribute towards CPD as would watching an episode of FAS TV on maintaining high health status: lessons from Shetland.

The key stakeholders are the farmers and crofters in the Islands as well as the sector organisations, including the Scottish Crofting Federation, NFUS, Scottish Land and Estates, Scottish Tenant Farmers Association, SAC Consulting, Scottish Rural College, Soil Association Scotland, and WWF. There is a need to consult these individuals and organisations as well as others that work in areas that could have an impact on the Islands.

The intended impacts of the CPD system are considered to be broadly the same throughout Scotland: to ensure that occupational groups in Scottish agriculture and crofting have access to a CPD system where they can record their CPS activities as well as a number of CPD activities. The impacts are not expected to be different in the islands. This is also the case for all groups that are participating in agricultural activities, whether engaged in them full-time or part-time. CPD systems from a wide range of professions do not distinguish between a part-time or full-time participant.

As noted, Scottish Ministers have not made any decisions on the CPD system.