Encouraging Yorkshire and Humber farmers to develop their business skills so that they can secure better returns was behind the latest food supply chain initiative supported by the Farexchange Programme.

Farexchange partner the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) recently staged a Food Chain Excellence course under its Growing Routes programme. Its aim was to galvanise farm businesses into forging closer links with their customers to gain a greater competitive edge - and from the reaction of delegates, it looks to have had the desired impact.

Farmers from all over the region attended the two-day event at the YAS's new Regional Agricultural Centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, where topics covered ranged from food supply chain issues to branding and meeting consumer needs.

Key industry figures from both the wholesale and retail markets gave in-depth presentations, including English Farming and Food Partnerships (EFFP) business development director Mike Ader, Ian King of Kings Catering and Waitrose agriculture manager Duncan Sinclair.

YAS's regional programme director George Hamilton said: "The Food Chain programme is the first project that YAS has delivered for Farexchange. I am very keen to encourage farmers as food producers to develop closer links with their markets and customers. As a result of the success of this programme, we intend to run another later in the year."

YAS, which is also responsible for putting on the Great Yorkshire Show, has strong links to both farmers and the food industry. It has been a partner of Farexchange since the programme was set up by Yorkshire Forward to address food supply chain security over two years ago.

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