About 6400 hectares of land, most of which is forest land, have been converted to farms to attract new entrants to the Scottish agricultural industry.

The release of state land will benefit 24 farmers and is part of a Scottish government scheme to identify and provide land for new entrants.

In addition to helping them farm, this scheme helps existing farmers make their businesses more sustainable by leasing them additional land.

Land has been provided by government agencies such as Forestry and Land Scotland; Crown Estate Scotland State Corporation; Scottish Water, a government-owned water and sanitation corporation throughout Scotland; Highlands and Islands Enterprise - Scottish Government Economic and Social Development Agency; East Lothian County and Highland County.

Lack of land remains one of the main obstacles to attracting new participants to agriculture. And, given the average age of Scottish farmers at 58 years old, attracting new participants is seen as significant.

Scottish Minister of Agriculture Fergus Ewing said overcoming these challenges is “vital to the future sustainability of the industry.”

However, this government decision has been criticized by environmental activists, who say more forest land is needed to mitigate climate change.