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Crop trials

The crop growing trials have proved to be a useful starting point for further work, with valuable information for farmers in the region who may be considering diversifying by growing Asian speciality crops. The project is building up detailed, regionally specific knowledge of how the different crops grow in the local soil and weather conditions, which can be quite localised, using different varieties and methods.

As interest has grown in the work it has become evident that these crops are already being grown to some scale in this country, but the indications are that this is not within the South Pennine area but in areas like Lancashire and the West Midlands. Many Asian wholesalers in the region have well-established links with or own farms around the UK.

Linking diverse communities

One of the aims of the project was to increase communication and understanding between local farmers and Asian communities. This was very successful and everyone the project dealt with directly was very keen to develop communication with many ideas for joint projects and business partnerships. Differences in language and culture between the local farmers and the Asian food businesses and community groups led to some misunderstandings, but as the work progresses greater trust and understanding develop.

There is still work to be done on building bridges between Yorkshire farmers and the potential outlets for Asian crops as the food chain is very fragmented. Some Asian businesses interviewed said that work needs to done on making racial equality and tolerance a reality, emphasising how business partnerships are built on trust.

An unforeseen and unwelcome outcome of the project was that the media coverage of the work caught the attention of one or more unidentified individuals who sent racist letters to neighbours of the farmer trialling the crops. The project team thought it necessary to withdraw a number of media reports because of these incidents as we did not wish to attract additional hostility to members of the project team.

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