As we are set to begin a new year, it is worth taking a moment to look back at an eventful 2022.

I was delighted that hugely important events, such as the Royal Highland Show and AgriScot, made a welcome in-person return to the agricultural calendar – and proved to be such a huge draw.

In policy terms, I announced Scotland’s 'Vision for Agriculture'. It is a vision with food production at its heart and makes clear our support for farmers and crofters in providing the country with healthy nutritious food. We know that producing food sustainably is a goal that can only be reached by working with our producers, rural communities and our nation more broadly.

As I have said before, there is no contradiction between the production of high-quality food and producing it in way that delivers for climate and nature. It is this thinking that is central to Scottish Government policy and that is why we launched a public consultation on our proposals for a future Agriculture Bill, in August.

The consultation outlined the model for future support payments which are vital to the sector and rural economies throughout Scotland and the process included a number of in-person and online events across the country. I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to make their views known.

The responses are currently being processed and will inform the Agriculture Bill to be brought forward later in 2023. A key part of developing a sustainable and successful agri-sector is the National Test Programme (NTP).

Track 1 and 2 of NTP are providing tools to help farmers and crofters to prepare for the coming changes by creating a baseline from where they can build environmentally and economically resilient businesses, through supporting carbon audits and soil testing.

Support is available towards the cost of conducting carbon audits and soil analysis. Guidance on the Rural Payments and Services website includes information on how to prepare and make a claim for both. The Farm Advisory Service also has lots of helpful videos on its YouTube channel.

I know that many farmers and crofters are already leading the way and pioneering best practice on farm, and their work will be recognised and rewarded.

I was also delighted to announce the nine farms who will take part in this cycle of the Monitor Farms Programme. Another innovative project in the latter part of the year is the agritourism monitor farm project and I look forward to seeing best how best practice develops as farms continue to diversify.

We have also been working with SAOS to develop MyHerdStats, a software tool that utilises statutory cattle traceability data to provide a consistent and accurate insight into herd performance. This will allow Scottish suckler cattle keepers access to a range of insights that reflect year-on-year herd variability to allow areas of opportunity to be highlighted for further improvement.

Of course, a key concern for farmers and crofters is the issue of funding and I am delighted that a total of £964m has been allocated to the Rural Affairs and Islands portfolio in the 2023-24 Scottish budget. More than £620m will provide ongoing agricultural support ensuring stability to farmers, crofters and land managers over the budget period.

Within the latest budget, those working the land in the most remote and fragile areas will continue to receive support through the Less Favoured Areas Scheme (LFASS), which has been allocated £65m.

The continuing transformation of farming and the production of high-quality food is supported by £44m, highlighting the ambition to make Scotland a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture, with £20m of this earmarked to ensure the important work of the NTP will continue for year two as we help farmers and crofters achieve statutory emissions targets.

Brexit, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis have all had a significant impact on our agricultural sector and ensuring funds are paid to farmers and crofters as quickly and efficiently as possible has been a priority – ensuring cash flow certainty amid these extremely challenging times.

LFASS payments, totalling £55.8m were paid to 9899 businesses ahead of schedule, while Basic Payment Scheme and Greening payments totalling more than £405m were also paid early.

As we look forward to the new year ahead, I am acutely aware of the importance of farmers and crofters in producing the high-quality, nutritious food and drink that Scotland is renowned for and I look forward to continuing the close-working relationship with stakeholders, especially though initiatives such as the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) that is helping shape agriculture policy for future generations.