Get Ready for the Revolution

Technology seems poised to transform UK agriculture – but can science help farmers grow more food, while simultaneously restoring the health of our environment? Jess Stevenson investigates

- By Jess Stevenson. Photographs by Joe Waldron

A rosy-cheeked farmer mops his brow and gazes proudly over a field of plump golden wheat. Hens forage in the farmyard, cattle doze in the meadows and bees buzz in the orchard. This romantic idea of farming pervades everything from children’s picture books to food marketing. But the reality of food production is often very different.

Since the Second World War, Britain’s farming policy has focused on increasing yields – in other words, producing more – thus providing more affordable food. Farmers have worked hard for generations to grow for the nation, following the best practice recommended to them at the time. That included using pesticides, fertilisers and heavy machinery.

Globally, conventional farming has succeeded in feeding us cheaply, but agricultural commentators now say there have been unintended consequences that are affecting the future of both the British countryside and the entire planet. They question whether our current way of farming is sustainable.

ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS

Everything we do has a carbon cost and the farming industry is no exception. Many scientists say conventional farming methods are contributing to climate change. For example, under the farming practices of the past few decades, arable soils have lost 40–60% of the carbon they previously contained. The carbon has been lost to the atmosphere in the form of CO2 – a greenhouse gas. It is estimated that agriculture is responsible for 10% of national greenhouse gas emissions.

Conventional farming practices are also playing a part in the rapid loss of biodiversity in our countryside, with continuing steep declines in many insect and bird species, for example. The loss of habitats that were once common on farmland – such as hedgerows, ponds and traditional hay meadows – is one reason for this.

TECH TO THE RESCUE?