More than £2.5 million has been awarded to help and develop new entrants into Scottish farming.
The funding will support the next generation of farmers while increasing opportunities for young people to establish a career in agriculture.
The latest award will see a further 47 new farming businesses share the money to help them create and develop their businesses.
Further funding has been identified for the Young Farmers and New Entrants Start-up Grant Schemes, and applications for the next round of funding also opens on 1st April 2017.
The application window for the Young Farmer and New Entrant Start-up Grant scheme closes on 30th September 2017.
'Overcoming barriers'
Announcing the additional funding, Scotland's Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing said that overcoming barriers to entry and attracting new entrants to farming is 'vital for the sustainability' of the industry.
He said: “New entrants drive innovation and best practice, improve efficiencies and contribute towards the economic vitality of the sector.
“With the average age of Scottish farmers currently around 58, and with only 9% of farm occupiers being 40 or under, it is crucial that we encourage a steady inflow of young and new entrants into the sector.
“That is why I am delighted to announce an additional £2.5 million in grant funding to help and develop new entrants and the opening of the next funding round. This brings the total funding from EU and Scottish Government to over £9 million, supporting the development and creation of almost 180 new farms across Scotland, and I would encourage anyone interested in entering farming to consider these schemes.”
