Tesco has launched a significant extension of its environmental data baselining programme to help hundreds of British lamb and beef farmers capture soil, water and nature data at scale for the first time and is calling for the introduction of a national data baselining framework to end the patchwork approach to data collection, and safeguard the country’s food security.
The call to action will be made by Tesco UK CEO Ashwin Prasad at an event for British farmers and food suppliers at Tesco’s headquarters today. It follows new research from Tesco canvassing the views of hundreds of UK farmers, which found an overwhelming 91% want government to do more to support farming resilience – something UK consumers also support, as 89% of customers think the government should be doing more to support UK farmers.
The research found the majority of farmers (68%) want to do more to make their farms more environmentally friendly, but 96% of farmers cite inconsistent environmental standards and data reporting as a key barrier, and a further 73% reporting difficulties getting vital innovation onto farms that will improve efficiency, resilience and sustainability. Soil health, critical to farm productivity and the ability to grow food was called out by 64% of farmers as a particular area of concern.
Tesco’s new data baselining programme (referred to as Tesco Sustainable Farming Programme) aims to address these concerns. Delivered in partnership with Soil Association Exchange (SAX), it will support 360 beef and lamb farmers from Tesco’s Sustainable Farming Groups to capture soil, water and nature data at unprecedented scale. It will establish clear baseline measurements over the initial 12 months, providing farmers with tailored advice to strengthen farm resilience and efficiency, and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable food system.
The programme builds on Tesco’s financial incentives scheme, which it launched in August. The scheme included more than £800,000 to support Tesco dairy farmers to assess and establish a baseline for soil and water health on their farms.
Ashwin Prasad, UK CEO, Tesco, said: “British farmers are the backbone of our food system but they face unprecedented pressure, from rising costs and climate shocks to uncertainty over government policy. They tell us data is vital to measuring and driving improvements in sustainability and efficiency on farms, but the patchwork approach to data across the UK has resulted in a lack of a unified or standardised framework to track industry-wide progress or share insight and best practice.
“Our new programme will give farmers the data and tools to build resilience and it’s vital farmers are provided with a clear and consistent reporting framework to reduce the burden they face and make it easier for the whole industry to measure and scale progress. This is fundamental to creating a stronger future for UK agriculture and protecting the country’s ability to reliably grow high-quality, homegrown food, now and for the future.”
Minette Batters, former NFU president, said: “Farmers are working hard to feed the nation sustainably, but they cannot do it alone. Establishing and supporting a consistent national baselining framework is essential if we are to measure progress fairly, unlock new opportunities, and build resilience across the sector. The whole industry must work together to support farmers in this transition and ensure UK agriculture can thrive in the years ahead.”
Joseph Gridley, CEO, Soil Association Exchange said: “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to show how consistent data, expert advice and targeted funding can drive real change on UK farms. At a time of unprecedented challenges, it points to a future where farmers have the clarity and support they need to take action with confidence. Farmers are already doing incredible work to be more sustainable — but they need a joined-up supply chain behind them. Only then can we unlock the full power of data and independent advice to help farms become more resilient, sustainable and profitable.”
The new initiative builds on recommendations set out in Tesco’s Greenprint for UK Farming Report, unveiled earlier this year at the Oxford Farming Conference, which called for standardised data and insights to help farmers futureproof their businesses and reduce their environmental impact.
