Agriculture in East Anglia is entering a new period of growth

The new East of England Development Agency funding is designed to help planned growth in the farming sectors.

An action plan has been drafted to deal with many of the key issues faced.

Richard Ellis, chair of EEDA, said: "The �10bn agri-food economy employs about 500,000 workers but many people do not understand how diverse it is."

The region has 80% of land classed as rural and 40% of its population are living in the countryside.

Poverty line

Mr Ellis said: "As well as the traditional sectors such as cereals and livestock, the region now boasts businesses producing chilli jellies, speciality beers and even a business in Breckland planning a whiskey distillery.

"There are also many issues to be overcome. There are socio-economic problems such as 17% of people living below the poverty line in the region's rural areas."

A seminar at the Suffolk Show in Ipswich on 1 June will focus on international trade, the need for greater business efficiency and possibilities presented by non-food crops.

At the East of England Show in Peterborough on 16 June development of quality in the food sector will be discussed.

The seminar at the Royal Norfolk show in Norwich on 28 June will highlight the environmental impact of the agri-food sector.