Tesco has announced a significant initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its food supply chain by trialling low-carbon farming innovations. Central to this effort is the launch of an arable “low-carbon concept farm” near Boston, Lincolnshire, where Tesco is collaborating closely with suppliers such as Branston, a major potato producer. This multi-year commitment, initiated earlier this year, focuses on testing a suite of emerging technologies and farming practices designed to slash greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture—a sector increasingly scrutinised for its climate footprint.
According to Tesco’s UK chief executive, Ashwin Prasad, the supermarket is motivated by a “vested interest” in fostering resilient food systems that benefit communities, farming families, and the environment alike. Mr Prasad emphasised Tesco’s responsibility as a leading retailer to pave the way for sustainable food security and better environmental outcomes. The trials at Langrick Farm currently cover about 20 acres and use techniques such as robotic tilling, low-nitrogen crop varieties, alternative fuels, and biomass heating. Complementary practices include pollinator cover crops and anaerobic digesters, while innovative products like R-Leaf—which converts atmospheric nitrogen pollutants into plant feed—and low-carbon fertilisers from Ccm Technologies are also being applied.
The farm is part of a wider seven-year crop rotation system involving potatoes, peas, wheat, and broccoli to enhance soil health and reduce disease without heavy chemical reliance. Tesco’s partner Branston is projected to harvest some 520 tonnes of potatoes from the trial area, enough to supply approximately 260,000 two-kilogram potato packs to its stores later this year. While these trials represent early-stage experimentation, Tesco plans to meticulously evaluate the economic viability of each technology, seeking to “de-risk” investments for farmers who often find innovative methods financially inaccessible or risky.
This initiative is one of two “low-carbon concept farms” launched by Tesco, with the other involving a collaboration with livestock producer ABP, though that trial is less advanced. Financial support is being channelled through Tesco’s existing contracts with suppliers, underlining the supermarket’s role in underwriting this green transition. Mr Prasad also highlighted that long-term contracts could provide farmers with the certainty needed to invest in sustainable innovations.
However, Tesco’s strategy on incentivising widespread adoption of successful technologies beyond the trial phase remains under development. Mr Prasad indicated that findings would first be shared within Tesco’s sustainable farming groups, a collaborative platform for farmers and suppliers focused on best practices in sustainability and animal welfare, before exploring scaling opportunities. He acknowledged the delicate balance Tesco must maintain given the current economic pressures on consumers, stressing that the supermarket is “championing value” while negotiating with suppliers to accelerate green technologies without imposing prohibitive cost increases on shoppers.
Industry observers note that Tesco’s approach reflects growing awareness across the agricultural sector of the urgent need to meet the UK’s 2030 climate targets amid increasingly extreme weather patterns affecting farms. A 2025 report from Tesco titled “Greenprint for UK Farming” revealed that while 72% of farmers want to increase environmental sustainability on their land, many face barriers due to lack of knowledge and funding. Tesco’s concept farms thus serve as practical demonstration sites, aiming to provide replicable models of low-carbon farming that could inspire broader industry shifts.
Tesco’s partnership with Branston is not new; the two have previously collaborated successfully on sustainability projects, including efforts to reduce potato waste by processing visually imperfect but edible potatoes, and initiatives to support farmers affected by flooding by marketing “ugly” potatoes. Branston itself has been recognised for carbon reduction, having won Tesco’s “Best Supplier for Carbon Reduction Technology” award in 2011 due to its investments in anaerobic digestion and energy-efficiency measures.
Looking ahead, Mr Prasad expressed a willingness to share Tesco’s research and innovations with rival retailers, underscoring that the route to net zero “requires everyone to work together.” Collaboration across the supply chain is seen as a vital unlock to scaling sustainable farming solutions in the UK.
While these trials are at an early stage, Tesco’s commitment signals a growing trend among major retailers to take proactive roles in transforming agricultural practices—beyond simply sourcing and selling food—to address climate change challenges head-on. The coming years will be pivotal as these experiments yield data that could reshape farming standards, supply chain partnerships, and consumer expectations around environmental stewardship in food production.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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