The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has called on the next government to throw its weight behind training for farmers and growers after a national skills audit ranked agriculture and horticulture 25th out of 27 for its future economic significance, but third on the list for its skills deficit.

The NFU said the National Strategic Skills Audit for England risks turning off new entrants to agriculture at a time when they are needed most and could result in decreased spending for training and skills on the ground.

NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond said that given the government’s own Food 2030 report highlighted the need to increase investment and the impact of education, training and research for food and farming, the results of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) report were staggering in their omission.

Raymond said: “I am very disappointed that the Government’s ‘New Industries New Jobs’ framework and UKCES has given agriculture and horticulture such low priority. This is particularly strange given the major strategic role that farmers and growers have and will play in securing the nation’s food security, and in feeding a growing global population, while at the same time using less natural resources, and reducing agriculture’s impact on the environment.”

Raymond reiterated the importance of the UK food supply chain, which employs some 3.6 million people and contributes £155 billion to the GDP.

Raymond expressed concern that the low rank will affect funding support for the industry, as the report will be used by the Regional Development Agencies to allocate funds across sectors.

Raymond added: “Portraying the farmers and growers as low-skilled and of low priority could colour consumer opinion and jeopardise future funding for much-needed skills and training.”