Cultivating Cornwall: A Call to Strengthen Our Agricultural and Food Sector
Agriculture and food production sit at the heart of Cornwall’s economy, landscape and identity — yet the sector is facing unprecedented pressure. Rising costs, policy uncertainty, skills shortages and challenges around housing, land access and market power are all threatening the long-term resilience of one of Cornwall’s most important industries.
In response, the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, working in collaboration with Cornish Mutual, convened the Cultivating Cornwall Working Group. The result is a new briefing paper, Strengthening Cornwall’s Agricultural and Food Production Sector, which sets out the challenges facing farming and food production in the Duchy and, crucially, proposes clear, practical actions for Cornwall Council and national government to take .
The report identifies six key areas of concern, from policy instability and workforce shortages to food security and public perception, and distils these into four priority actions. These include creating a unified Cornwall Agricultural and Food Sector Forum, building a stronger rural skills pipeline, supporting new entrants and succession, and championing local food security through shorter supply chains.
This is not a call for charity, but for clarity, stability and partnership. Cornwall’s agricultural community is ready to innovate, modernise and lead the way in sustainable food production, if the right structures and support are put in place.
We encourage businesses, policymakers, educators and stakeholders across Cornwall to read the full report, engage with its findings, and be part of shaping a stronger, more resilient future for Cornwall’s agricultural and food production sector.
