Lincolnshire's agrifood leaders call for focused skills development to secure sector’s future.
Agrifood industry leaders from across Lincolnshire met with a representative from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to discuss the sector’s future workforce, skills, and productivity needs at the latest Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture.
The meeting highlighted both the strengths and challenges facing Lincolnshire’s farming and food sector, which employs more than 75,000 people and contributes significantly to the county’s economy.
Lincolnshire bucks some of the national trends for the sector, showing higher productivity figures than other areas, and remains resilient and growth driven. However, an ageing workforce, difficulty recruiting skilled workers in certain specialties, and training gaps in emerging areas are challenges to future growth.
Members of the forum emphasised the need for the industry to:
- Upskill the existing workforce, ensuring farmers and employees can adopt new technologies and business practices.
- Attract young people into the sector by challenging misconceptions and showing clearer career pathways.
- Support farmer-led training, mentoring, peer-learning and knowledge exchange clusters.
- Strengthen business, financial, and IT skills across the industry.
The meeting also underlined the potential of technology, from AI to robotics, but warned that adoption is being held back by a lack of confidence, knowledge and appropriate training.
This is where collaborative learning and knowledge clusters were viewed as particularly beneficial. Effective collaboration has been shown to improve productivity in farming by up to 13 per cent and helps to retain skills and talent in the county.
Matt Riddington, chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture, said: “Over 75,000 people are linked to the agrifood sector in the county. Contrary to what people say nationally, it isn’t a sector in decline in Lincolnshire. But to grow, we need investment in our people.
“That means practical training for today’s workforce, long-term funding, and a clear vision that makes farming and food careers attractive for future generations.
“It was great to have Defra present at the meeting to help them better understand the local picture in Greater Lincolnshire. We hope the Government’s long-term vision will be politically neutral to future-proof plans for the sector, and we need to work to balance their long-term objectives with our own aims and ambitions for the future.
“With more funding decisions looking to be set locally through devolution, the GLFFAH is well placed to advocate for the sector and call for funding where it will make the most difference locally.”
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The Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture meets four times a year and is comprised of a diverse range of members with representatives from farms of all sizes, sector bodies, training organisations and support services. Its operations are supported by officers from Lincolnshire County Council.