AS THE world food crisis grows, Britain needs more young people to become farmers – but one key entry point into the profession is dwindling by the year, says the Tenant Farmers’ Association (TFA).

Speaking at the weekend whilst presenting the association’s Pinnacle Awards to agricultural students, national chairman Greg Bliss lamented that more and more county councils were cutting back on their small holdings, which for generations have trained young people for entry into the industry.

Some 43% of these have disappeared in the past 20 years, said Mr Bliss, and the number of tenancies on county council owned farms had dropped by 58%.

“It is of grave concern to the association that county farms across the country are coming under pressure from local authorities who are cash strapped and are looking for quick capital receipts through the sale of farms,” he added.