North Wales Farmers Unite Behind Groundbreaking Machinery Ring to Boost Home-Grown Produce
NORTH WALES is preparing to take a major step forward in strengthening its farming and food-growing landscape with the launch of a pioneering new ‘Machinery Ring’ dedicated to supporting the region’s producers.
Developed to take a firmly farm-first approach, the Machinery Ring uses a collaborative system that helps growers and farmers increase output by giving them access to essential kit without having to shoulder the full cost of ownership. The model is designed to free producers from the financial strain of buying machinery outright, allowing holdings of all sizes to invest more energy into growing.
Four Local Food Partnerships — Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, and Denbighshire — have united behind the drive to expand horticulture across the region, aiming to get more Welsh-grown produce into public procurement, retail shelves, and hospitality kitchens.
With support from the Welsh Government’s Collaborative Grant Scheme, the initiative is now inviting farmers and growers to set out what machinery they most need — whether that’s small tractors, precision seeders, composting equipment, harvesting kit, or other tools that could strengthen on-farm productivity.
Tackling one of the most persistent barriers for horticultural enterprises, the scheme focuses squarely on the soaring cost of equipment and the challenge it poses for small and medium-scale producers working to expand.
“By creating a shared pool of machinery accessible on a flexible and cost-effective basis, the project offers an opportunity for farmers looking to diversify or expand their horticulture operations without major financial risk,” said Menter Môn’s Project Manager, David Wylie.
“This is an opportunity for growers to shape the scheme from day one. We want to hear exactly what equipment they need and will use. This model provides a practical, low-risk route into horticulture – at a time of uncertainty for the sector, it has the potential to be a genuine game changer.”
The initiative builds on recent hands-on success stories — including Conwy’s fresh broccoli supply chain trial — and supports key Welsh Government priorities such as the Community Food Strategy, Net Zero Wales, and Universal Primary Free School Meals. All of these are pushing demand for reliable supplies of local, high-quality produce grown on Welsh farms.
Close collaboration with the Wales Horticulture Cluster, funded by Food and Drink Wales and backed by Farming Connect Horticulture, will ensure growers have access to technical guidance, training opportunities, and a wider network of industry expertise.
Debbie Handley, Wales Horticulture Cluster Lead, said: “Growers are facing some of the toughest operating conditions in decades with rising production costs, labour challenges and increasing pressure to meet local market demand.
“The Machinery Ring provides something incredibly timely and practical. It enables producers to trial specialist equipment, reduce overheads, improve efficiency and build confidence to diversify into horticulture or scale up their existing production.
“It will help both new entrants and established businesses strengthen their resilience and contribute to a more secure, sustainable Welsh food system. This is a significant step forward for horticulture in North Wales.”
Input from growers — gathered jointly with Lantra — will shape how the Machinery Ring operates to ensure fairness, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. The project also plans to explore opportunities to work with other UK machinery rings and social enterprise models to widen benefits across the sector.
The launch also aligns with the final days of the Welsh Government’s Agricultural Diversification and Horticulture Scheme, open until December 5, which offers financial support for farmers and horticultural producers looking to diversify or expand commercial-growing ventures.
