Waitrose has announced a £1m investment into two partnerships to help farmers accelerate nature-friendly farming.
Touted as a “significant step up” for the supermarket’s Farming for Nature programme, it has partnered with the Soil Association Exchange and Regenified to support farmers with tools, advice and certification.
“Their expertise will be vital in developing our approach, providing monitoring, measuring impact and demonstrating progress,” said Andrew Hoad, director of Leckford and Farming for Nature at Waitrose.
The partnership with the Soil Exchange, a farm measurement tool backed by the Soil Association, involves a four-year programme to support early the adopting farms representing key Waitrose supply chains.
By tracking metrics on soil health, biodiversity, water, carbon, animal welfare and social impact, it will provide robust measurement and build evidence of the impact of changing farming practices.
“Farmers want to do the right thing for nature and their businesses, but they need clear evidence, trusted advice, and fair reward,” said Joseph Gridley, CEO of Soil Association Exchange. “Through this partnership, Waitrose is helping farmers turn robust data into practical changes on the ground, backed by the advice and support they need.
He added: “It’s a powerful step towards a food system that is both climate-resilient and profitable for farmers.”
Soil Association Exchange will work with existing partners Land App, Leaf and the University of Reading.
Read more
-
Waitrose doubles butternut squash crop after ‘perfect’ summer
-
The Waitrose Foundation pledges £1m investment in water security
Waitrose will also offer 100 farms free access to Regenefied’s agriculture verification framework and achieve Regenefied certification.
This will help farmers across livestock, dairy, fresh produce and horitculture to measure and track improvements in areas such as soil health, water management, and biodiversity.
“Their commitment to giving farmers the tools, data, and independent verification they need to build resilient, nature-friendly businesses is a testament to the foresight of Waitrose and its suppliers”, said Salar Shemirani, co-founder and CEO of Regenified.
Waitrose said the aim of the Farming for Nature programme was to support 2,000 British farmers to move to nature-friendly practices, which it argued would boost business resilience, secure food supplies, and combat climate change.
“Our commitment to regenerative farming reflects our belief that producing high-quality food and caring for the environment go hand in hand,” said Hoad. “We are leading the way in backing British farmers, protecting nature, meeting climate goals and building a sustainable and resilient food system from the ground up.”
The supermarket’s plan is for all its farms to be using regenerative practices by 2030, and it has committed to reach net zero across its farms by 2035.
No comments yet