Tesco has launched a new scheme to help beef and lamb farmers measure soil, water and nature data at scale for the first time.
Delivered in partnership with Soil Association Exchange (SAX), the scheme will support 360 beef and lamb farmers from Tesco’s Sustainable Farming Groups to capture soil, water and nature data at unprecedented scale.
Britain’s biggest supermarket chain unveiled the move as it called for a national data baselining framework to safeguard food security and end what it described as a patchwork approach to data collection.
It aims to establish clear baseline measurements over the initial 12 months, providing farmers with tailored advice to strengthen their resilience – and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable food system.
It follows new a survey which found that an overwhelming 91% of livestock producers want to improve their farming resilience – but feel unable to make much progress because of a lack of government support.
Some 68% of farmers said they wanted to make their farms more environmentally friendly – but 96% of farmers cite inconsistent environmental standards and data reporting as a key barrier.
A further 73% reported difficulties trying to improve efficiency, resilience and sustainability. Soil health, critical to farm productivity and the ability to grow food was called out by 64% of farmers as a a concern.
Pressure
The programme builds on Tesco’s financial incentives scheme, which it launched in August. The scheme included more than £800,000 to support Tesco dairy farmers to assess and establish a baseline for soil and water health on their farms.
Tesco UK chief executive Ashwin Prasad said: “British farmers are the backbone of our food system but they face unprecedented pressure, from rising costs and climate shocks to uncertainty over government policy.
Framework
“They tell us data is vital to measuring and driving improvements in sustainability and efficiency on farms, but the patchwork approach to data across the UK has resulted in a lack of a unified or standardised framework.”
Mr Prasad added: “Our new programme will give farmers the data and tools to build resilience and it’s vital farmers are provided with a clear and consistent reporting framework to reduce the burden they face.”
This would make it easier to measure and scale progress.” This is fundamental to creating a stronger future for UK agriculture and protecting the country’s ability to reliably grow high-quality, homegrown food, now and for the future.”
‘Working together is way forward’
Former NFU president Minette Batters says working across the supply chain was vital for food security. She added: “Farmers are working hard to feed the nation sustainably, but they cannot do it alone.
Establishing and supporting a consistent national baselining framework was essential to build resilience. “The whole industry must work together to support farmers in this transition and ensure UK agriculture can thrive in the years ahead.”
The new initiative builds on recommendations set out in Tesco’s Greenprint for UK Farming Report, which called for standardised data to help farmers futureproof their businesses and reduce their environmental impact.
Soil Association Exchange Joseph Gridley, CEO, said: “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to show how consistent data, expert advice and targeted funding can drive real change on UK farms.”
Producers needed to have clarity and support to take action with confidence, said Mr Gridley. “Farmers are already doing incredible work to be more sustainable — but they need a joined-up supply chain behind them.”