The Scottish Government

Priority Code

Diversification of Rural Enterprise Priorities

Relevant Packages

A diverse land-based business sector, through:

D+G26a

a. encouraging innovation and new product development and local processing, marketing and retailing in line with Scottish Food and Drink Strategy and the Scottish Forestry Strategy. Particularly proposals that:

• demonstrate an innovative approach to developing new food and drink products derived from the Dumfries and Galloway area
• support for local food processing facilities
• contribute to the establishment of farmers market group activities in Dumfries and Galloway
• develop the potential for sustainable use of under utilised natural resources on farms and non-timber forest products in woodlands
• add value to timber grown in Dumfries and Galloway through support to local groups.

D+G26b

b. Strengthening links between primary producers and other industry sectors, including processors, retailers and the food service sector, to develop predictable and stable supplies and reduce costs, waste and food/timber miles and live animal transport. Particularly proposals that:

• encourage greater co-operation between (particularly food) businesses that increases the efficiency of the local food supply chain and provides better returns to the primary producer, e.g. by sharing costs in marketing, distribution and administration
• shorten the links between producer and consumer, e.g. between processors (especially finishers and slaughter houses) distributors, caterers, local consumer outlets and the hospitality industry
• assist with the establishment of improved and sustainable farmers market sites across Dumfries and Galloway
• facilitate the use of local produce from Dumfries and Galloway at all sizes of events (e.g. meetings, conferences, food festivals, music and other cultural events)
• support the development of woodfuel/biomass utilising wood grown in Dumfries and Galloway including local woodfuel clusters and other measures as outlined in the Scottish Biomass Action Plan
• support conversion to, and maintenance of, organic farming methods where they can supply a growing sector, directly to the consumer, food service sector and food retailers.

D+G26c

c. improvements in environmental performance particularly in resource usage and waste management practices. Particularly proposals that:

• involve the use of bio-digesters as an innovative approach to dealing with food and animal waste and as a source of sustainable energy
• involve participation in region or sub-region wide waste recycling schemes, e.g. farm plastics recycling initiatives.

D+G27

Higher value rural goods and services being delivered from the primary (agriculture and forestry) manufacturing and processing, and the recreation and tourism sectors, through improvements in quality and reductions in production, processing and transport costs. Particularly proposals that:

• improve distinctive and high quality local products
• support for tourism providers and communities to work together to package key products to provide a better welcome for visitors.

D+G28

The increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. woodfuel. Particularly proposals that:

• contribute towards improved woodfuel production and which commit to supporting sustainable woodfuel supply chain arrangements across Dumfries and Galloway
• support small scale renewable energy developments, e.g. hydro and solar energy

D+G29

Improved number of career development opportunities, through skills and training initiatives addressing rural skills gaps (complementing work of local enterprise agencies) and incorporating awareness of environmental and social objectives. Particularly proposals that:

• improve the number of employability opportunities to address gaps in provision of rural skills/leadership (complementing work of skills agencies) and incorporating environmental and social objectives into their own traditional activities
• seek to introduce new trainees into the land use sector, and which also seek to improve the ability for multi-disciplinary land uses, e.g. farmers incorporating woodland/forest management into their livestock enterprise.

D+G30

Improvement in the value and duration of tourism visits in rural areas, including maximising opportunities for green tourism. Particularly proposals that:

• lead to an improvement in the value and duration of tourism visits in Dumfries and Galloway, including maximising opportunities for adventure and nature based tourism which extend the season
• support for further development of events and festivals which have a positive economic impact on the region
• seek to develop the distinctive tourism products Dumfries and Galloway, utilising the natural, cultural, built, food, drink, tree, woodland and forest heritage.