A £130,000 cash pot has been created to allow more allotments to be created across Wales.

Social Farms & Gardens, working in partnership with the Welsh Government, said the money would be invested over the next nine months to help Welsh communities, housing associations and local authorities, including town and community councils, meet a growing demand for allotments.

The funding will support the creation of new allotment sites, allow under-used sites and plots to be turned into productive areas and new toolkits and guidance will be created to encourage others to do more to meet public interest in growing their own.

Over the last six months, Social Farms & Gardens – which has offices in Newtown – has been mapping the current provision of allotments and other community growing spaces, including community orchards, Incredible Edible Projects, community gardens and community supported agriculture sites. The map shows a diverse range of provision across all corners of Wales.

Gary Mitchell, the charity's Wales manager, said: “Allotments are part of our heritage. They have been a means for people to provide food and sustenance since the 1800s, but now, perhaps more than ever, we as a society are more interested in where our food comes from and how it is grown.

“Allotments provide an important space for us to control those elements. They provide a boost to our health and wellbeing, are great for adding biodiversity to urban settings and provide a space for social interactions. This funding, support and vision from Welsh Government really will make a difference in the areas we can support.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford added: “The Welsh Government recognises the importance of allotments, not only as a means to producing affordable food, but for the health benefits they offer to plot holders, for the biodiversity they encourage even in the most urban of areas and for the important part they play in social cohesion.

“This funding, supporting one of the First Minister’s priorities to increase allotment provision in Wales, is being delivered through a co-ordinated approach. Based on recent research, it is being targeted on evidence of need.

“Social Farms & Gardens have been active on the ground in Wales for many years and are wholly connected to the community food chain.

“Although Wales is known for its agriculture and is rural in nature, the demand for allotments exists in every local authority area, not just the larger cities and more urban conurbations. This funded work will help to ensure access to allotments is improved in areas where it is most needed.”