Eco driving course aims to slash fuel bills by 20%
A £1.5m project aims to help farmers slash fuel bills in a bid to boost profits while helping the environment.
Farmers will be encouraged to adopt eco-driving techniques to reduce their fuel usage by up to 20%. Experts believe some producers could easily save up to £1000 a year on fuel bills.
The three-year initiative is being coordinated by Ruralnet Futures on behalf of the European Union. Some 50 farmers from across England are expected to take part in the Efficient 20 study, said project manager David Ellis.
“Fuel used in farming machinery represents more than 50% of the energy consumed in agriculture, so introducing fuel-saving measures brings significant cost savings to farming businesses.”
Data on fuel consumption would be collected from expert field tests across Europe, said Mr Ellis. At the same time, individual participants would be asked to keep diaries of their own on-farm fuel usage.
Eligible farmers needed to have at least one tractor and consume at least 3000 litres of fuel a year. Pilot groups would monitor fuel usage across at least four types of field operations, such as ploughing, spraying or baling.
Fuel prices have risen by 12% over the past year, according to the latest ag-inflation figures. Although red diesel prices have fallen back from recent highs, they have soared by 60% since 2006.
The project has caught the attention of the Cumbria Farmer Network, which also covers the Yorkshire Dales. “Anything which helps farmers stay in business can only be a good thing,” said network chairman Will Rawling.
Producers in the west Midlands are also likely to join the study. It would encourage green farm technology for both environmental and sound economic reasons, said Frances Beatty of the Staffordshire Rural Hub.
Results will be shared using the internet, with website access to collected data, guidelines and reviews of energy-saving techniques. Tractor manufacturers will be invited to participate as associate network members.
