A programme that helps develop climate-friendly farming methods in Scotland has received extra funding worth £100,000 from the Scottish Government.

The Farming for a Better Climate initiative, which was launched in 2010, aims to help farmers save money and cut their carbon footprint – as a fifth of the emissions in Scotland come from the agricultural industry.

The scheme provides farmers with practical advice on adapting to the changing climate such as better soil management and field drainage.

Statistics from the Scottish Government suggest the first three Climate Change Focus Farms helped farmers save almost £60,000 in total and two of the businesses cut their carbon footprint by at least 10% in the first three years of the programme.

Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said he decided to increase the budget – which will double the number of farms from four to eight – as a result of the benefits.

A new Carbon Footprint calculator called AgRECalc has also been launched which will allow farmers to estimate their resource use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr Lochhead added: “My ambition is for every Scottish farm to be greener and this AgRECalc is a free and easy-to-use online tool which will enable farmers to pin point where savings can be made.”