CARWYN James, a beef and sheep farmer from Crymych, was announced this year's winner of the Farming Connect Agri-Academy Business & Innovation challenge at a special ceremony held at the Winter Fair on Monday.

Carwyn, aged 22, was presented with an engraved crystal rose bowl as well as an 'end of year' certificate from Andrew Slade, the Welsh Government's Director of Agriculture, Food & Marine.

The event signalled the end of the academic year for the 'Class of 2014' comprising 12 Business & Innovation Programme candidates, 12 Rural Leadership Programme candidates and 14 Junior Programme candidates, who were all congratulated by Mr Slade.

"The Agri- Academy, which was developed and launched by Menter a Busnes on behalf of Farming Connect in 2012, is an excellent example of the Welsh Government's commitment to supporting the agriculture industry, especially those individuals who with the right support, guidance and opportunities have the potential to become the rural leaders and entrepreneurs of the future," he said.

"I understand that a number of the candidates present today have already demonstrated positive acts of leadership and a willingness to work alongside Welsh Government by joining some of our working groups where you'll be putting some of your learning into practice.

"I commend you for taking these positive actions and look forward to working with you in future."

This year's Business & Innovation Programme challenge was to draw up a five year action plan for Roger and Jane Hughes who farm a mixed 360 acre holding at Trefeglwys near Caersws.

Carwyn's proposal included incorporating an anaerobic digester that could be fed a mixture of chicken manure from the Hughes' poultry unit and arable crops, utilising the digestate, heat and carbon dioxide generated to support an all year round glasshouse enterprise. It was an idea that appealed to the Hughes family, who say they are likely to incorporate suggestions from a number of the action plans they received.

Carwyn anticipates a busy time ahead.

He said: "The Agri-Academy gave me a fantastic platform to learn more about the industry within Wales and an opportunity to make comparisons with farm businesses we visited during a study tour to Italy. The Italians demonstrated that all it takes to be successful is an innovative idea coupled with a burning passion for what you do, putting the wants and needs of customers at the heart of their business.

"The Academy raised my expectations of what I can achieve as a farmer and will inevitably have a positive impact on the family farm and my working life going forward.

"It has given me a better understanding of the global challenges facing the food and farming industry and I know I will be making better informed, more confident decisions for our family business longer term."