Farmers are getting in behind the idea of a 50-year plan for their sector.

The idea has been floated by Regen which is a company looking to improve sustainable farming.

This follows a recent Federated Farmers survey, showing confidence is declining in the rural sector.

Federated Farmers dairy chair Chris Lewis told Kate Hawkesby farmers want to do the right thing, but it's hard to do things well when they don't know where the goal posts are.

"Farmers, like anyone, just want to know what the direction of travel is and will work hard and get towards it, not just as a whole farming community but as town and country together," he said.

He said it's a good idea because farmers want to know what the goal posts are, just like any business in town.

"So if it's clear where we have got to head in the next 50 years or 20 years, then farmers will set up their businesses and go for it."

Lewis says we all have to do our bit.

LISTEN ABOVE AS CHRIS LEWIS SPEAKS WITH KATE HAWKESBY