Page 280 - DMGT509_RURAL MARKETING

Unit 14: Corporate Sector in Agri-Business

helping facilitate a range of projects to boost the economic vitality of each town, whilst Notes
building capacity and sharing their best practice across the county. In one or two other
towns, town project managers/officers are supported by their town and/or district councils.
The Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES) is part of the England Rural Development Programme
(ERDP). It provides assistance for projects that help to develop more sustainable, diversified
and enterprising rural economies and communities. Its coverage is wide-ranging but the
primary aim is to help farmers adapt to changing markets and develop new business
opportunities. RES also has a broader role in supporting the adaptation and development
of the rural economy, community, heritage and environment.

Approximately £150 million EU and Government money has been allocated to the RES for
the period April 2001 to the end of 2006. The majority of the funding has been allocated to
regional budgets. A small proportion has been reserved for national projects on the
marketing of quality agricultural products.
The environmental, food chain and rural sector uses about 77% of the UK’s total landmass
(18.4 million hectares) and employs over a million people.
Of the million-plus people employed in this sector, the majority work in 17 main industries.
These industries, and the percentage of people working in them, are listed in the table
below:

Agricultural crops 12.9%
Agricultural livestock 30.7%
Animal care 4.7%
Animal technology 0.3%
Aquaculture 0.4%
Environmental conservation 5.6%
Equine 5.0%
Farriery 0.2%
Fencing 2.5%
Fisheries management 0.7%
Floristry 2.6%
Game and wildlife management 0.6%
Land-based engineering 1.5%
Landscape 13.8%
Production horticulture 9.4%
Trees and timber 3%
Veterinary nursing 0.6%
Other related 5.5%
Almost 90% of all businesses in the land-based and environmental sector employ less than
ten people. This means that large intakes for traditional graduate management positions
are rare. Most of the smaller businesses are interested in graduates who can ‘hit the
ground running’, without a structured training scheme.
Self-employment is a key feature of the environmental, food chain and rural sector.
Approximately 80% of the total workforce are proprietors and 20% are employees.
Contd...

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