Project to help farmers launched

Press, 5 December 1985, Page 2

Project to help farmers launched

PA Wellington A big project aimed at helping the rural community through the present economic crisis was launched yesterday in Wellington. It has been initiated by the Agricultural Training Council (A.T.C.) and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Federated Farmers, the Fruitgrowers’ Federation, and the Rural Bank. Changes in the national economy in the last 16 months had been particularly severe on the rural community, said the chairman of the A.T.C., Mr Owen Jennings. "Rural communities need help in understanding the situation and coping with the stress and everything else involved. This project aims to give them that help,” he said. As a big part of “Rural Change — Meeting the Challenge,” local support and assistance programmes will be encouraged. The project will produce material such as videotapes on financial management and a printed kitset about coping with stress. Another important aspect of the scheme was the exchange of ideas between communities, Mr Jennings said. “There is a catalyst’s role that will entail identifying the best of what is happening already and building on it for the maximum benefit of the wider rural community. “It is heartening to see the extent to which the rural community is adopting very positive self-help support activities. This programme aims to extend that process,” he said. Funding for the project is coming from commercial organisations.