It is challenging to attract skilled people into the arable farming industry.
The Arable industry requires a broad skill set which means that people come into the industry from many different backgrounds.
Industry feedback has told us that some growers will have a higher level of technical expertise than others and there is a specific need for crop agronomists. However, engagement with industry has suggested that many Arable farms are family owned and operated, and people often begin learning Arable farming practices on the family farm.
Because of this, there isn’t a clear career pathway in the industry and the industry struggles to attract people with the range of skills required to carry out all aspects of the job, and likewise people struggle to progress into these roles. For example, while strong literacy is not required for all aspects of the job, being able to interpret legislation is an important component of successful crop farming.