Farmers look to charity help as incomes fall

A farming charity has seen a huge upturn in the cash help it gives, as tough times in the countryside bite.

New figures show the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi) paid out grants of £2.04m to 1,357 families in 2016, compared with £1.89m in the previous year.

Alongside the help given to the retired, those with disabilities and the long-term sick, the number of claims received from working farmers, farmworkers and their dependants rose to £450,169 from £269,000 in 2015.

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“It’s been a challenging year for many in the farming sector with bad weather, animal disease, fluctuating commodity prices and late RPA payments all contributing to the difficulties encountered by some,” said Paul Burrows, Rabi chief executive.

“Farmers, in our experience, do not want or readily seek charity. However, our message to them is: there is no shame in turning to Rabi to help you through the bad times.”

Rabi chairman Malcolm Thomas added: “The growing support that we offer to working farmers is the clearest evidence that there continues to be real structural problems within parts of our industry.

“My hope for 2017 is that we reach even more beneficiaries. We know there are people out there who could benefit greatly from our help but do not come forward.”

• Rabi’s freephone helpline is 0808 281 9490.