New machinery-sharing scheme aims to cut costs for growers
North Wales growers will be able to access specialist farm machinery without footing the full cost of buying it under a new regional sharing scheme launching this autumn.
The North Wales Machinery Ring will give producers across Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire shared access to equipment for bed preparation, planting, cultivation, harvesting, processing and crop handling.
The machinery will be available through an online booking platform, allowing farmers and growers to reserve equipment when they need it rather than investing individually in costly specialist kit.
The scheme, managed by Menter Môn, is being introduced to the farming community at the Anglesey Agricultural Show at Mona Showground ahead of its launch later this year.
It is a collaboration between the Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire Food Partnerships and is supported by Bangor University's Henfaes Farm and Research Centre.
The initiative has been developed in response to concerns that the cost of specialist machinery can prevent businesses from expanding or diversifying into horticultural production.
By creating a shared pool of equipment, organisers hope producers will be able to test new production methods, improve efficiency and expand without taking on the financial risk of purchasing machinery outright.
Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director at Menter Môn, said: “The North Wales Machinery Ring has been developed in direct response to the challenges that growers have told us they face.”
He said access to suitable machinery can be a significant obstacle for businesses looking to increase horticultural production.
“We know that access to specialist equipment can be a real barrier for businesses looking to diversify or expand horticultural production, so being able to discuss the scheme face to face with the agricultural community is really valuable,” he said.
The Machinery Ring is also intended to encourage farm diversification and strengthen local food production by making equipment available to a wider range of businesses.
Gruffydd added: “By sharing machinery across the region, we can help growers reduce costs and trial new ways of working with greater confidence. Ultimately, this is about supporting more local food production and strengthening the sector in north Wales.”
Menter Môn will use the Anglesey Show to explain how the scheme will operate and gather feedback from farmers, growers and farming unions before the booking platform goes live.
David Wylie, Project Manager at Menter Môn, said: “The Anglesey Show gives us a great opportunity to put the Machinery Ring in front of the farming community and hear directly from growers about what they need from us and the scheme.”
He added: “We’re looking forward to meeting farmers, growers and farming unions at the show, answering questions and building the relationships that will help shape how the Machinery Ring works in practice.”
The online booking system is due to launch in the autumn, giving producers across the four counties access to shared machinery as and when it is required.
