Farmer turns computer mentor

Chris Davies wants more farmers to use computers

A Powys farmer is set to persuade others to load software as well as bales this summer.

Chris Davies of Lower Chapel, near Brecon, aims to get more members of the agriculture industry to master computer technology.

The aim is to train farmers to become computer literate so they can run their businesses more effectively.

Mr Davies, 45, who runs a 170 acre farm with 500 sheep, recently obtained a joint honours degree in IT and management at University of Wales Lampeter.

A lot of farmers are shy of formal education because they left school at the earliest opportunity

Chris Davies, mentor

He hopes his new post as a mentor to work on a one-to one basis with Breconshire farmers will ease the ever increasing stresses on the farming community.

About 20 farmers in the Brecon area have already signed up to the scheme run by Education and Learning Wales (ELWa) and Link Wales.

Paperwork

"A lot of farmers are shy of formal education because they left school at the earliest opportunity," said Mr Davies.

"But we must break down this barrier to using computers because they can help farms run their businesses more effectively.

Armed with a laptop computer, Mr Davies will spend 36 hours over the next year with each farmer, showing them how to use computers to manage and plan their business.

"The ever increasing amount of paperwork that farmers have to deal with means it is vital they can use new technology to save time and reduce mistakes."

Farmers are being encouraged to keep stock data on computer

Mr Davies will also show them how to input and interpret data and reports and how to solve basic computer problems.

After 12 months, he hopes that farmers will want to start using computers on their farms.

One farmer who has already taken part in the scheme is Ann Williams, who runs a sheep and cattle farm at Hundred House, eight miles from Builth Wells.

"The advantage of learning on a one-to-one basis was I could quickly understand the basics, " said Mrs Williams.

"I wanted to do my VAT and keep all the farm records on computer and I found this way was much better than going on a course.

"It has certainly made life easier for me and feel much more confident in dealing with computers."

A raft of support, ranging from short computers to more detailed management and business training is also being offered to boost the performance of farm businesses, develop new ideas and help find off-farm employment.