Farmers in Wales will be able to discover how to make thousands of pounds in extra revenue at this year’s Royal Welsh Show.

Although the Welsh Government announced earlier this year that payments under BPS would be paid in full in 2022, a phased transition to its replacement – the Sustainable Farming Scheme – is expected to get underway soon and could see a reduction in farm incomes across the country.

This could leave many farmers in Wales facing an uncertain future.

Help will be at hand at this year’s show, where farmers will be able to find out how diversification could secure the long term future of their business.

Pitchup.com – Europe’s largest provider of outdoor accommodation – will be on site as part of a UK roadshow aimed at helping Welsh farmers cash in on the ongoing boom in staycations.

They will be on hand to discuss setting up a caravan or campsite under permitted development rights (PDR), which enable farmers and landowners to operate a campsite without applying for planning permission.

Currently, PDR enables farmers to operate such a site for up to 28 days per year, but the Welsh government recently carried out a consultation on extending this to 56 days permanently, with the result expected to be announced soon.

Pitchup.com will also be giving advice on joining an exempt organisation to help farmers diversify into the agri-tourism sector and on applying for planning permission for those wanting to establish permanent campsites.

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, said campsites in particular are the easiest and quickest form of diversification.

They are also among the most cost effective, with even small sites generating an average of £13,000 across the summer holiday season.

Pitchup.com’s highest earning Welsh farm-based campsite operating under permitted development earned £57,000 last year, and its top earner operating as part of an exempt organisation secured £72,000.

The highest earning overall campsite in Wales listed on Pitchup.com brought in a whooping £327,000 while helping the local economy recover from the Covid pandemic.

Mr Yates said: “Farmers across Wales could be hit hard by the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme. But there is hope. By diversifying into tourism even on a small scale, farmers can generate the extra revenue needed to ensure their farming operation continues to be profitable.

“It is quick and easy to do and most of all doesn’t interfere with the farming calendar so the two parts of the business fit together well.”

Mr Yates added farmers could choose the level at which they could start an agri-tourism project.

“At their most basic, a small farm campsite only needs running water and toilets to function, which require a very small investment,” he said.

“But even these can generate thousands of pounds across a season.

“Often farmers start with this and when they realise how easy it is, they build on what they’re doing. That might mean a shower block, caravan pitches, or even applying for planning permission for a permanent site. It is really up to individual farmers how far they want to take it.”

Pitchup.com will be exhibiting at the show which opens today (July 18) .

Farmers considering diversification are invited to drop by stand K696 for a chat about the best ways to cash in on the burgeoning agri-tourism sector.