Agriculture – the final frontier

Every so often you hear the phrase “you are what you eat” and whether you agree with this
quote or not, there’s no denying that what we put on our tables is important for a variety of
reasons. The food we consume influences our health, our lifestyle and the environment.

Food – now and then

Food culture today is very different from the traditional one, when food was meant to serve basic
needs. People are more aware of their diets than ever before, they seek more information and as a
result their expectations of the food industry are increasingly higher. Eating behaviors have
changed and consumers are becoming more involved, wanting to know where their food comes
from, how it is produced, handled or processed.

A survey conducted in the United Kingdom, in 2018, by ThoughtWorks reveals that British
adults’ attitude in relation to food will change drastically in the future. 48% of adults will place
more importance on reducing food waste and 36% of the respondents will be interested to know
where the food they buy is grown, fished or reared. Furthermore, 34% said they will support
local farmers/producers and 32% said they will make sure that the food is ethically sourced from
a sustainable supply chain. Conscious consumption will be one of the main points of interest for
British food buyers.

All eyes on agriculture

The above-mentioned aspects put the spotlight on the agriculture and food production sectors all
around the world, and the UK makes no exception.

Since traditional times, agriculture and farming have shaped people’s lifestyle in the UK,
influencing their wellbeing, culture and traditions. One of the first images that come to mind
when you think of the UK is the beautiful countryside with its vast stretches of land, sheep
grazing on rolling green hills and picturesque farms where people live in close connection to
nature. Although this idyllic image doesn’t necessarily reflect today’s reality in regard to
agriculture, the industry still plays an important role in people’s lives and in UK’s economy.

Nowadays, UK’s agriculture is efficient by European standards, intensive and highly

mechanized. 72% of the land in the UK is used for agriculture and 36% of the agricultural land is
arable. 60% of the food eaten in the UK is grown in Britain and most Brits agree it’s important to
support British farmers. From small family-owned farms to big businesses, there’s a good
network of farms all across the UK (approximately 192.000 farms).
In addition, the iconic British countryside previously mentioned, managed by farmers, generates
over £21 billion in tourism income each year. Also, the agri-tech sector contributes £14.3 billion
to the UK’s economy.

Challenges of the future

However, agriculture faces many challenges these days. Farmers have to deal with an increasing
food demand of a growing population, limited natural resources and an unpredictable weather
due to climate change. The shift towards environmentally friendly practices and reducing the use
of pesticides, fungicides and other control measures raise further issues and this is just the tip of
the iceberg.

One way to find reliable solutions to these problems is through innovation. Since 2015, Innovate
UK has invested almost £90 million of government funds in four Centres for Agricultural
Innovation (Agri-Tech centres). New technologies are constantly implemented in order to
improve both productivity and quality in the food production area. These technologies strive to
make modern farming more sustainable, resilient, and productive. It brings benefits for farm
owners, workers, as well as consumers.

But innovation alone is not enough to move the industry forward. The people working in
agriculture are also key factors in finding solutions for the challenges of the future. The use of
new technologies also implies changes in the agricultural workforce.

Attracting reliable and highly-trained people to the agri-food sector is essential to the success of
the industry. The need to find people that are driven, adaptable and eager to learn new skills is
becoming the focus of the agencies recruiting for this sector. The quality of the products and the
efficiency of the system begin with the human factor and that is why creating an educated and
well-prepared workforce can make all the difference.

Health and safety above all

One aspect that stands out when talking about the workforce is the concern for health and safety
standards. Working in agriculture presents many hazards, therefore health and safety should be
regarded as an essential part of any agricultural activity.

Managing risks protects workers and businesses and can bring many benefits such as a reduction
in injuries and ill health and the resulting financial and personal costs, improved productivity,
good morale and a happier, healthier workforce, better farming practice to help develop a
sustainable farming business etc.

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 requires employers to provide the information,
instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the
health and safety at work of all employees. The Management of Health and Safety at Work
Regulations 1999 also specify situations where health and safety training is particularly
important, e.g. when people start work.

All workers in the agri-food sector must undergo health and safety training and must receive
adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). Employers should:

- make sure that each new worker is given information about hazards, the precautions in
place and understands what to do in an emergency;
- make sure the findings of any assessments, including risk assessment, are communicated
to workers in a form they can understand;
- make arrangements for the health and safety of people who have little or no knowledge of
the English language;
- check the worker has any special skills or occupational qualifications needed for the job;
- understand that new recruits need basic training in how to work safely, including
arrangements for accident reporting, first aid and fire;
- keep in mind that new technology, equipment or machinery may require new skills;
- be aware that new, inexperienced or young employees need adequate supervision
following training.

Businesses achieving high standards of health and safety at work give a high priority to health
and safety training as part of their overall management approach. Training in how to use other
protective measures, such as guards on machines, PPE and safe methods of work, is vital.

PPE includes coveralls, eye protection, footwear, gloves, safety helmets and wet weather
clothing. The PPE provided to the workers must:

- be effective and give adequate protection against the hazards in the workplace;
- be readily available for use;
- be suitable and match the wearer, the task and the working environment, so that it does
not get in the way of the job being done or cause any discomfort;
- not introduce any additional risks, e.g. limit visibility or cause heat stress;
- be compatible with any other PPE that has to be worn; e.g. safety spectacles may
interfere with the fit of respirators;
- be checked before use and cleaned, maintained and stored in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
(Source: Farmwise: Your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture)
For more information concerning health and safety guidance, please visit
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/index-hsg-ref.htm

Agriculture in the North West

In the North West region, the total income from farming increased by 17% between 2013 and
2017 to £332 million (source: Defra Aggregate agricultural accounts).
Around 80% of the land area in the North West is used for agriculture. Livestock and dairy
farming are major agricultural sectors thanks to an abundant supply of grassland, but there’s also
a significant horticultural sector accounting for 9% of England’s total. Farmers also play an
important role in managing the rural landscape which is a major tourist attraction in the region.

There are more than 22,000 farming and related businesses in the North West, providing
employment for around 40,000 people. Agriculture and horticulture led to the development of a
thriving food and drink industry and major global brands were attracted in the region.

In Lancashire, farming is one of the most important and efficient industries. It supplies nearby
cities and towns with a wide range of fresh foods and makes a major contribution to the nation's
food supply. Most farms are family run and are generally smaller in size than those in England
and Wales (around 36 hectares).

Grassland is a vital resource in Lancashire, livestock and dairy farming being the most important
sectors in the county (milk production is higher than in many areas in England). The most widely
grown crops here are barley and wheat, both being used for livestock feed.

The proximity of large urban markets in the towns and cities of the North West encouraged the
growth of an important horticultural industry. The county is a significant producer of field
vegetables and crops under glass/plastic such as tomatoes and lettuce. The farming land allocated
to fruit and vegetable production in West Lancashire represents 94% of the Lancashire total and
71% of the North West total.

As a result, there’s a growing need for reliable workforce in the area and there are many good
opportunities for those looking for a job in the agri-food sector. NTS Recruitment is constantly
searching for driven and dedicated people, eager to join our team and start their journey in the
agriculture industry. We believe that as agricultural labour is becoming more complex, attracting
enthusiastic and passionate people can breathe new life into the industry and create a stable and
sustainable future for British farming. Progress and success begin with strong and motivated
teams.