FDBusiness.com

UK retailer Tesco will target the dairy farmers of the future as part of a new scholarship programme open to members of its pioneering Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group. The scholarship programme will see TSDG farmers or their family members being offered the chance to study elements of dairy farming such as animal welfare, animal fertility and sustainability.

After carrying out their studies, beneficiaries of the programme will aim to promote new innovations and ideas throughout the TSDG. The TSDG was set up in 2007 to help support struggling dairy farmers and has grown to include over 700 farmers across the UK.

Dame Lucy Neville Rolfe, Executive Director of Corporate and Legal Affairs at Tesco comments: “Through the TSDG we’ve been able to support hundreds of dairy farmers across the UK in what have been some uncertain times for the industry as a whole, so we’re delighted to be able to offer the chance of a TSDG scholarship programme to our members. As an international retailer, we know from experience how useful it can be to find ways of exchanging good practice around the world.”

Beneficiaries of the programme will also be given the opportunity to visit the Tesco Dairy Centre of Excellence at Liverpool University to discuss their plans and obtain advice and support from members of the dedicated team.

Andy Bloor, Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group Chairman says: “I’m really pleased that after developing a ‘next generation’ group within the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group, TSDG farmers and the farmers of the future will be given the opportunity to take part in this new scholarship programme. Tesco has shown a real commitment to the TSDG, so being able to share new ideas and innovations will ensure the group continues to be a leader in its field.”

Tesco formed the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG) in 2007 after years of dairy farmers operating in an extremely difficult market with farms going out of business. Today, the TSDG has over 700 farmers who exclusively supply Tesco with all its own brand fresh milk. Tesco meets delegates every three months to discuss projects, pricing arrangements and to generally better understand the supply chain.