Farmers raise cash to help African growers

SCOTTISH young farmers are to raise funds towards helping farmers and food producers in West Africa's poorer countries.

The Spirit of Hope campaign, to which Scottish young farmers have pledged 15,000, will help train farmers in Benin to grow crops, helping them and their families to be self sufficient.

The cash will be used to buy basic equipment such as wheelbarrows, hoes, rakes, seeds, and even wellies. It is estimated that each future farmer in Benin needs about 75 worth of equipment, so the Scottish young farmers effort will help 200 people in Benin.

The campaign is part of the Mercy Ships effort to reduce hunger and improve health in the poorer parts of the world. In the past 20 years, it has helped set up almost 1,000 construction and agricultural projects, as well as holding medical surgeries and dental clinics.

Speaking in Edinburgh at the fundraising launch, one of the Mercy Ships Trustees, Ann Gloag, said she was thrilled that Scottish young farmers were going to help their peers in Africa.

Penny Laird, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, said that this nationwide fundraising effort was a first for the organisation: "We do a lot of money raising for local charities but this is the first time we will be getting all of our members involved in one effort."

The reward for those SAYFC members who make the biggest effort in raising the cash will be a trip out to see how the money is being spent. This part of the project is being sponsored by milk giant, Robert Wiseman Dairies.

Laird was confident they would reach their target by November but she was slightly apprehensive about one aspect of the cash raising which will see her and several other top office bearers in the SAYFC cycle 135 miles between Aviemore, Stirling and Kinross.