Survey reveals levy payers’ concerns
Survey reveals levy payers’ concerns
Low profitability and volatility are two of the key challenges facing levy payers, a recent report published by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has revealed.
The Activity Review saw AHDB staff hold 15 open levy payer meetings around Britain last autumn and winter to offer an opportunity for levy payers to voice their views on the challenges facing their businesses and the priorities for AHDB activity.
There were more than 300 attendees, primarily made up of farmer levy payers, whilst AHDB also collected 670 survey forms.
Low farmgate prices and volatility were identified as the most significant challenges across all sectors, whilst levy payers revealed a keenness for AHDB to show leadership in understanding and assessing how market risks can be better managed, and provide the tools and instruments to improve expertise on farms. The attendees also wanted AHDB to deliver relevant knowledge through practical demonstration.
Responses to the survey also identified the feeling that more could be done to make the most of the British brand both at home and abroad and improve its reputation.
Tom Hind, AHDB’s chief strategy officer, said: “The aim of the activity review was to get a root and branch perspective from farmers, growers, processers and key stakeholders on the key challenges and opportunities they face as well as the areas where they feel AHDB can make the biggest impact on their businesses. Above all this was a listening exercise and we are extremely grateful to all those who took the time to participate.
“It’s little surprise that low profitability and volatility come through as two key challenges facing businesses. Levy payers want AHDB to do more to help producers cope better with global market volatility, develop the brand reputation of British food at home and overseas and grow the market. They also want us to communicate better with them and more clearly demonstrate the ‘value’ of AHDB work to levy payers.”
Hind continued: “The report we’re releasing brings together the key findings. What matters now is how AHDB and its sector boards respond to the challenges identified by levy payers. We’re making some changes already – strengthening our evaluation, reviewing our communications, improving our digital capability and adjusting our sector plans. Through the coming months our boards will be reviewing their strategies to ensure they are focused on making the biggest difference for levy payers in each sector”.
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