The Scottish Government is considering increasing the level of financial support given to crofters.
SNP ministers have launched a 12-week consultation on the Croft House Grant Scheme (CHGS) which provides financial assistance for the improvement and maintenance of crofter housing.
There are around 18,000 crofts in Scotland and the government hopes reforming the initiative will help attract and retain people in remote areas of the Highlands and islands.
Crofting Minister Aileen McLeod said: “Crofting is vital to communities, the economy and the environment in Scotland’s remote and fragile areas, and generated an estimated revenue of almost £86million last year.
“By law, crofters have to live on or close to their croft which can present challenges in terms of availability and quality of suitable housing.
“We know those are major factors in rural depopulation and so by offering financial assistance for constructing and upgrading residential properties, the Croft House Grant Scheme is helping to attract and retain people in our remote, rural and island communities.”
Ms McLeod, a south of Scotland list MSP, said the CHGS was launched 10 years ago and although building costs have gone up, the assistance rates provided by government have not.
“While I am sympathetic to the case for increasing the size of grants on offer I need evidence to make a decision that will benefit our remote and rural communities,” she added.
“That is why it is so important for as many people as possible to respond to this consultation.”
The consultation closes on March 31.