**London**: Tesco’s Greenprint report emphasises the importance of innovation for UK farmers facing challenges like climate change and labour shortages. Collaborations with suppliers aim to showcase low-carbon practices and technologies, helping promote sustainable approaches while maintaining high-quality produce for consumers.
The Tesco Greenprint for UK Farming report, launched in January, emphasises the vital role of innovation in British agriculture, despite the numerous challenges the industry faces. Climate change, adverse weather conditions, labour shortages, and evolving government policies often compel farmers to adopt conventional practices that ensure marketable yields, as stated by Mark Willcox, agronomy director at Branston. He explained the dilemma that growers encounter: “The starting point for a grower is always ‘at what point am I risking my marketable yield by doing things differently?’ Their returns are key. If you ask whether farmers want to innovate? Yes, they do. But within the confines of what is an acceptable risk to take.”
The report highlights that farmers have expressed interest in transitioning to net-zero practices but often encounter barriers when it comes to adopting new technologies. Natalie Smith, head of sustainable agriculture and fisheries at Tesco, stated, “Innovation was one of the key themes that came out of our report,” underscoring the sentiments shared by the farming community regarding the challenges and opportunities in this transition.
In a bid to support farmers in mitigating risks associated with innovation, Tesco has collaborated with various suppliers, including Branston, to establish low-carbon concept farms. Smith elaborated on this initiative, saying, “We’ll be focused on the testing and trialling of new farm management practices, as well as new technologies and innovations that we can monitor, measure, manage and see what impact they have.” The objective is to share insights across Tesco’s supply chain, thereby allowing farmers to comprehend the potential impacts of these innovations on their own operations.
Branston is actively working on implementing a series of technologies and practices designed to lower carbon emissions while maintaining high yields and quality in potato production. Willcox noted, “The recipe is half a dozen things at the moment that are all doable.” Key technologies include ultra-low nitrogen fertilisers, developed by past winners of the Tesco Agri T-Jam competition, and new tilling practices that minimise soil disturbance to preserve stored carbon. Furthermore, Branston has created innovative low-carbon cold storage solutions that are reportedly saving 40 per cent of electricity costs associated with potato storage, a critical factor, particularly during the harvest season in September.
Plans are underway for Branston and Tesco to engage the 120 farmers working with them on these low-carbon concept farms. “It’s about showing a practical working farm,” Willcox said, highlighting the initiative’s aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of new technologies. This partnership intends to not only prepare farmers for sustainable practices but also ensure that consumers are able to continue accessing high-quality British produce. Smith concluded, “We feel that we can support farmers by showing them the art of the possible, which is the principle of these low-carbon concept farms.” The collaboration aims to make British farming a frontrunner in low-carbon technologies, marking a significant initial step in that direction.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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