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Youngsters 'are key' to crofting Youngsters 'are key' to crofting
(about 14 hours later)
Encouraging more young people to become crofters is vital if the traditional way of life is to survive, a new report has found.Encouraging more young people to become crofters is vital if the traditional way of life is to survive, a new report has found.
The Committee of Inquiry on Crofting survey highlighted children not taking on family crofts as one of the biggest threats to industry's future.The Committee of Inquiry on Crofting survey highlighted children not taking on family crofts as one of the biggest threats to industry's future.
The study questioned 2,000 people from both crofting and non-crofting backgrounds.The study questioned 2,000 people from both crofting and non-crofting backgrounds.
A quarter of respondents were unsure if crofting would continue to be viable.A quarter of respondents were unsure if crofting would continue to be viable.
The report, titled The Survey of Rural Development and Crofting, revealed that 96% of those questioned identified young crofters as the most important aspect of a thriving crofting community.The report, titled The Survey of Rural Development and Crofting, revealed that 96% of those questioned identified young crofters as the most important aspect of a thriving crofting community.
The sale or transfer of crofts has been identified as one area which presents difficulty for new entrants Professor Mark ShucksmithCommittee chairman Reversing the brain-drain
Other major threats to crofting's future were identified as the increasing cost of agricultural activities and sustainability of livestock farming, most likely because 78% of crofters undertake livestock farming for income generation.Other major threats to crofting's future were identified as the increasing cost of agricultural activities and sustainability of livestock farming, most likely because 78% of crofters undertake livestock farming for income generation.
'Transfer of crofts'
Other highlighted issues included the need for affordable housing and employment, access to existing crofts, improved economic returns from crofting and better grant schemes.Other highlighted issues included the need for affordable housing and employment, access to existing crofts, improved economic returns from crofting and better grant schemes.
Committee chairman, Professor Mark Shucksmith, said: "Clearly, young people are vital to crofting's future and we will be examining ways to encourage and support their interest and involvement, and making recommendations on how to make this happen.Committee chairman, Professor Mark Shucksmith, said: "Clearly, young people are vital to crofting's future and we will be examining ways to encourage and support their interest and involvement, and making recommendations on how to make this happen.
"This will include tackling a number of other issues highlighted in our research, which undoubtedly have an impact. For example, the sale or transfer of crofts has been identified as one area which presents difficulty for new entrants."This will include tackling a number of other issues highlighted in our research, which undoubtedly have an impact. For example, the sale or transfer of crofts has been identified as one area which presents difficulty for new entrants.
"These issues will be priority areas for the inquiry to address and ensure we develop a vision which meets the needs of crofting communities and ensures crofting remains a valuable part of life in Scotland.""These issues will be priority areas for the inquiry to address and ensure we develop a vision which meets the needs of crofting communities and ensures crofting remains a valuable part of life in Scotland."
The committee was created by the Scottish Government last year, and was tasked with creating a vision for the future of crofting in Scotland.The committee was created by the Scottish Government last year, and was tasked with creating a vision for the future of crofting in Scotland.