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Farmers
Excluded From e-Commerce Revolution
Farmers' incomes have fallen by up to 45% in the last two years. Yet the Government's e-commerce revolution seems to stop at farmers' front doors. The nationwide agricultural crisis is forcing farmers to reach out in new ways to consumers. Electronic commerce is expected to bring in revenues of up to £10 billion by the end of this year, and is also forecast to be three times higher than last year's figures. A handful of farmers have turned to e-commerce, while others sell their produce at fortnightly Farmers' Markets in Newark, Southwell and Mansfield. Even so the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Ministry for Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) do not aptly cater for the farming industry. In fact the DTI has no plans to help farmers to establish Web sites, in spite of the Government's pledge to make Britain a leader in e-commerce. A MAFF representative criticised the Government by saying "it's time they put their money where their mouth is." Mike Robertson of Newark and Sherwood District Council said that some farmers are turning to e-commerce. He cited an ice-cream company that has been awarded a DTI grant, and Nottingham pie makers J.B Cressey and Sons. However, it's very difficult to find any local farmers marketing on the Internet. He also suggested that there seems to be "a slight confusion that this sort of product is organic, but it's not necessarily so." Even so the Government's ambition to "make Britain the best place for e-commerce anywhere in the world," doesn't seem to provide any real focus on the plight of Britain farmers and the farming industry. |
Photo
Source: Christy's Farm Shop, Southwell Photo Source of Pig : Farmshop.net
The County's Farm Shops Network
Photo Source : BBC On-Line E-commerce Facts:
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