Martin Collison spoke at the RAU Let’s Grow event organised with gFirst LEP on the value and potential of the agrifood and rural economy in Gloucestershire, based on a report written by Collison and Associates Limited.
Martin explained that the agrifood economy is very important to the county, with the ‘end to end’ food chain in Gloucestershire accounting for 14.9% of the jobs in the local economy, compared to 13.2% nationally – and about 9% of the local economy, compared to 6.5% nationally. It has good potential for growth through adding more value to farm output through processing and marketing and through its key role in place making so that tourists, workers and investors are attracted to the county. There is also the potential with the Cyber Park, GCHQ and expertise at RAU, Campden BRI, Hartpury and the University of Gloucester to take a national lead on cyber security in the food chain.