Where next for Britain's smallholding and farming communities as we look to 2026 and beyond

Agricultural journalist, smallholder and editor of Ford & Fordson Tractors Magazine Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world.

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The UK is a densely populated island and not since we lived through two world wars, have we as an island been so dependent on food imports, around 46% of what we eat is imported. We are living in a time when the entire global food system is under strain and food security is a concern in many sectors. Even our growing seasons seem to be changing, either due to climate change or other factors, added to this biodiversity seems to be in decline with more than 60% of priority species having fallen in number since 1970.

REVIEW OF REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE IN THE UK

The British Ecological Society recently released a report, Regenerative Agriculture in the UK: An Evidence Review, which evaluated how reduced tillage, cover cropping, livestock integration and diverse rotations could help to restore soil health, enhance biodiversity and build resilience to climate change while maintaining food production. Five primary regenerative farming principles were assessed, which included reducing soil disturbance, limiting bare soil, promoting on-farm diversity, integrating livestock, and prioritising natural inputs over synthetic alternatives.

Part of the report's findings were that there is strong evidence that positive results were gained by reducing bare soil exposure, actually keeping living roots in the soil by the use of cover crops helped to guard against erosion, improved soil structure, water retention and biodiversity. It was also shown that intercropping and agroforestry created more diverse habitats, in turn encouraging insects, birds and beneficial pollinators.