Diversification opportunities for farmers
With rising costs across the board, including energy, fuel and general stock, farmers are increasingly looking to diversify and find innovative ways to save and make money.
Photovoltaics or a biomass boiler are a good example, which can be used to supplement the energy needs of both the farm and house. This does – of course – come with an initial outlay, which our Agriculture team can support with, along with the traditional machinery and equipment.
We understand how passionate the farming community is about their land and looking for opportunities to adapt its use, including for camping and glamping. Many are also investing in farm shops and restaurants, which offer low food miles – or ‘farm to table’ – with the carbon footprint of a farmer’s eggs, milk, butter, beer, etc. all able to be quantified.
We also see farmers hosting weddings and wedding fairs, supplying some of the meat and produce for the event.
In South Africa there’s a well know saying that goes, ‘n boer maak n plan’, which roughly translates to ‘a farmer always has a plan’, and that’s clearly evident in their ability to spot an opportunity and willingness to adapt, depending on prevailing conditions.
Farmers are traditionally long-term thinkers, planning not just for today but for the next generation and the one after that. This generational model has been proven to work, with new ideas and ways of working being introduced.
Diversification – through Clarkson’s Farm – has received national attention and demonstrated not only the difficulties farmers face, but the opportunities available to those willing to do things that bit differently. Clearly, this takes investment, but the returns can be significant.
Our offering
Our offering spans everything that might be needed by farmers of all types – from small dairy farm to large arable, and everything in between.
Our dedicated team of agricultural specialists have extensive knowledge and experience of the sector, which gives them the ability to confidently support you and your business.
They understand the challenges businesses in the agricultural sector face, including the high running costs from equipment and machinery that can make it difficult to raise the necessary capital to support growth plans, including diversification.
Our process is simple but effective – our agricultural team will work closely with you to create a finance agreement that works for you. That could be releasing capital from an existing asset to invest in new equipment or spreading the cost of your repayments to match your seasonal income.
Using our specialist knowledge, we will guide you through the application process, enabling you to take full advantage of the benefits of asset finance.
The availability of lending, products and services are subject to eligibility, status and our lending criteria. The right to decline any application is reserved, terms and conditions apply.
