Farmers, food growers and tree-planters should take advantage of new funding available as soon as possible, land owners have been advised.

Fraser McAuley, CLA Cymru policy adviser, says: “The funds’ expression of interest windows open between now and June.

“Our advice is that there is definitely an advantage in making submissions early – not only to be at the top of the applications list, but because time might be needed for providing additional information or making modifications.

“A raft of support is available for investment in new equipment and technology, natural resource management, organic production, horticulture, slurry management, food supply chains and woodland creation.

“Applicants should focus on the 11 grants or schemes and understand how these can support their business plans.

“Equally, the opportunity of new resources available should encourage entrepreneurial land managers to make new priorities and undertake new projects.

“This could be very important as we move into transition stage to Wales new Sustainable Farming Scheme, set to be outlined in Welsh Government legislation this summer.”

But he expressed reservations on how the budgets would work in practice.

“The Welsh Government announced the departmental budgets recently, and we’ve seen the Infrastructure Investment Strategy, which made some allocation for agricultural transition,” he said.

“While we welcome the announcement of support for agriculture, horticulture, forestry and land management, the recent announcements raise questions about how the various budgets fit together over given timeframes.

“We must determine if and how the resources announced meet the needs of the sector to ensure it remains globally competitive. We need to see the big-picture. We will be working with the government to obtain the necessary clarity.”