Farming has always been at the mercy of the weather, but climate change is making it far more unpredictable. Farmers now face unprecedented disruptions from rainfall and the erratic seasons, from 2024 (which produced the second worst harvest on record) to the frequent droughts like the one witnessed this summer.
The crisis begins beneath our feet. A lot of our soils are in poor health, making them less able to retain water, which leads to increased soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and crop damage.
When the ground fails, everything else follows – food becomes scarcer, prices rise, and our national food security is thrown into jeopardy. Unless farming becomes more resilient, food shortages are inevitable within 10-20 years, alongside major biodiversity loss.
One response has been to increase imports. The UK government claims to import half of British food already, though some analysts suggest the true figure may be closer to 80%.
Regardless of which number is accurate, the level of foreign dependence is staggering. Relying more heavily on imports will inevitably drive up domestic food prices and leave Britain more vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.
The way forward for farming
Regenerative farming offers a way forward. Unlike conventional practices that strip soils of nutrients, regenerative agriculture rebuilds them.
The main objectives are simple yet profound: increase soil organic matter, improve biodiversity, and reduce reliance on artificial fertilisers, which are a major source of carbon emissions in crop production.
Healthier soils retain more water, reduce runoff and allow crops to better withstand extreme weather such as drought or intense rainfall, which are fast becoming our reality.
Practices such as using field margins to encourage biodiversity or dual cropping, such as growing legumes alongside cereals, have all been shown to boost and protect the levels of organic content in soils. This, in turn, improves soil structure and water retention, making the land more resilient.
These methods aren’t new and have been around for centuries. In fact, we tried dual cropping over 30 years ago, and grew spelt with beans to increase protein levels in the grain for milling.
However, by ‘turning back the clocks’ and refining these older methods in the context of today’s climate and ecological challenges, regenerative agriculture can present a pathway toward more sustainable and resilient food systems.
If these methods became widespread, it would bring benefits such as healthier wildlife and a better environment for the people who live in these ares.
The economic reality
And yet, right now, regenerative farming is often seen as ‘charity work’, driven by farmers’ passion rather than profit.
Smaller and mid-sized family farms are especially vulnerable in this context. Many are already operating on thin margins and the financial risks of transitioning to regenerative practices can be daunting.
Investments in new equipment or crop rotations are expensive, and for farmers struggling with succession planning, long-term commitments are even harder.
Yet government support is lacking. Schemes like Countryside Stewardship are ending. And replacements such as the SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) are still unclear or insufficient to cover the costs of meaningful change.
Market forces further compound the challenge. Supermarkets and commodity markets prioritise volume and low costs, making it difficult for farmers to compete without charging premium pricing.
Farmers cannot push against these market forces alone. Environmental gains need funding. Otherwise, large corporate farms will continue intensive ‘hedge-to-hedge’ farming which maximises short-term yields at the expense of long-term resilience.
Without more decisive action, British soils will continue to degrade, and our food system will remain fragile. The government must act now and put regenerative farming at the heart of national policy.
Philip Rayner, co-founder & MD of Glebe Farm
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