Tesco research reveals that 74% of UK farmers are concerned about climate change, yet 76% face barriers in implementing environmental measures thanks to high costs and policy uncertainty in sustainable farming UK initiatives.
Farmers in the UK are caught in a sustainable farming deadlock, with three-quarters unable to implement environmental measures despite witnessing climate change impacts first-hand.
The finding from Tesco’s latest research comes as the retail giant announces two low-carbon concept farms, urging the government to deliver a comprehensive plan supporting farmers in their transition to net-zero agriculture.
The announcement at the Oxford Farming Conference highlights the disconnect between agricultural sustainability goals and the practical support needed to achieve them. The initiative emerges from a collaborative research project between Tesco and Harper Adams University, which surveyed more than 300 UK farmers about the industry’s future sustainability.
Ashwin Prasad, Tesco’s chief commercial officer, emphasised the urgency of the situation during his address at the Oxford Farming Conference. “As the biggest customer of UK agriculture, we recognise that providing affordable and sustainable food requires both innovation and policy support,” he said.
The supermarket giant has established two low-carbon concept farms in its supply chain. Developed in partnership with potato supplier Branston and livestock processor ABP, the demonstration farms will test sustainable farming technologies.
The multi-year project will explore:
- Low-carbon fertilisers,
- Alternative fuels,
- State-of-the-art cold storage systems,
- Carbon removal techniques,
- Advanced soil health management,
- New grazing management strategies
- Biodiversity assessment and enhancement,
- Genetically-based improvements to farming.
Professor Michael Lee, deputy vice-chancellor at Harper Adams University, highlighted the educational dimension of sustainable farming UK initiatives. “The School of Sustainable Food and Farming works with key industry players to boost skills and knowledge as we move towards sustainable Net Zero,” he said.
The university’s involvement underscores the role of education and research in agricultural transformation. Tesco’s initiative builds on its existing sustainable farming groups (SFGs), which have established knowledge-sharing frameworks and innovation trials with farmers, suppliers, and retail partners.
These groups, covering dairy, meat, and produce sectors, provide members with fair pricing structures and support for reducing emissions through carbon footprinting programs. The supermarket’s move follows its partnership with Lloyd’s Banking Group, the Soil Association, and other retailers to support farmers in reducing on-farm emissions.
A collaborative approach demonstrates the industry’s recognition that sustainable farming UK objectives require a coordinated effort across the supply chain. The research highlighted three key areas requiring government attention:
- Development of a long-term land use and food security strategy,
- Improved funding mechanisms for sustainability innovation at all stages,
- Establishing common environmental standards for measurement and investment prioritisation.
The recommendations align with the findings from the quantitative survey of 258 farmers conducted at agricultural fairs during the summer af 2024, supplemented by roundtable discussions with over 50 participants from different agricultural sectors.
The initiative represents a step towards developing sustainable farming in the UK, but success will require sustained commitment from both private and public sectors. Professor Lee noted, “The challenge of moving our food and farming systems towards Net Zero while ensuring food security is huge, and we all need to work together to take it on.”
The full details of Tesco’s recommendations and research findings are available in its Greenprint for UK Farming report.
As climate change continues to impact farming practices and food security becomes an increasingly pressing concern, initiatives like Tesco’s concept farms could provide insights into the practical implementation of sustainable farming methods. However, the success of such programmes will largely depend on the government’s willingness to create a clear policy framework and support mechanisms for the agricultural sector.
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