More than half of UK farmers report adopting regenerative practices
More than half of Barclays surveyed farmers have already adopted regenerative farming practices as rising input costs and increasingly unpredictable weather reshape the economics of running a farm, according to new research from Barclays latest survey of its agricultural customers.
The report, Resilience in the Field: The evolving case for sustainable and regenerative agriculture finds that 56% of surveyed farmers have already adopted regenerative practices, while a further 24% plan to do so.
This shift is being driven by immediate commercial pressures. Two-thirds of surveyed farmers identify rising input costs as their biggest challenge over the next 12 months, while 77% say they have experienced the effects of changing climatic conditions on their farm. Among those affected, 72% report drought, 71% greater weather variability and 55% increased rainfall.
Farmers are responding through a range of practical, farm-specific measures. Nearly two-thirds (65%) are already reducing pesticide or herbicide use, with a further 14% planning to act. 52% have adopted technology to improve efficiency and a further 30% plan to do so.
However, the findings also show that many farmers are navigating complex changes with limited formal support. More than 60% have developed their transition plans themselves, while only 22% planned their interventions with an independent adviser.
The findings also suggests that data could become an important part of unlocking future value, with 78% of UK farmers reporting that they would be willing to share evidence of sustainable practices with their bank for lending purposes where there is clear value in doing so.
Wayne Astridge, head of agriculture & landed estates at Barclays Business Bank, said:“Barclays has been backing UK farmers for more than 280 years, so we understand that major changes to a farm business must be commercially grounded and supported over the right timeframe. What this survey tells us is that, as an industry, we have matured our understanding of the business case for transition. Whether the drivers of that change are commercial, environmental, or a combination of both, the fact that 80% of surveyed farmers tell us they are already adopting or planning to explore regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices is significant and worth exploring.
These findings also highlight that many farmers are making complex investment decisions largely by themselves – while facing significant cost pressures and climate volatility. “That is, in part, why we launched Farm Transition Finance – to support farming businesses through discounted lending as they adapt to a rapidly evolving operating environment and evolve sustainable and regenerative farming practices, while seeking to strengthen the long-term resilience and competitiveness of their businesses.”
Barclays representatives are discussing the findings of the report at Groundswell throughout the week.