Leaders in Lincolnshire’s agrifood industry have called for targeted skills development to support the sector’s long-term growth. The region’s farming and food industry employs more than 75,000 people and remains a significant contributor to the local economy.
At the latest meeting of the Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture, attendees reviewed workforce, skills, and productivity needs. The discussion highlighted Lincolnshire’s relatively high productivity compared with other areas, alongside challenges including an ageing workforce, recruitment difficulties in specialised roles, and gaps in emerging skills areas.
Forum members stressed the importance of upskilling existing employees to adopt new technologies and modern business practices. Attracting younger workers through clearer career pathways, strengthening business, financial, and IT skills, and expanding farmer-led mentoring and knowledge exchange initiatives were identified as priorities.
The meeting also examined the potential of technology adoption, including AI and robotics, noting that a lack of confidence, training, and knowledge limits progress. Collaborative learning and sector knowledge clusters were highlighted as effective tools to boost productivity and retain talent, with evidence suggesting collaboration can increase farm productivity by up to 13 per cent.
The Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture meets quarterly and brings together representatives from farms, sector bodies, training providers, and support services. Lincolnshire County Council supports its operations, and it continues to advocate for local funding to strengthen the region’s agrifood workforce.
