As the Government calls Water company bosses together to address the threat to farming in 2027. The Environment Agency's warning that agricultural reservoirs may not refill this winter makes this about future food production and water security, not simply this year's drought.
Jason Bull, Managing Director, Eurostar Commodies, producers of RISE Re:Gen flour said; “Regenerative farmers are calling on the wider farming industry to recognize the critical importance of soil health, particularly its ability to retain water at a time when drought is placing enormous pressure on British agriculture.
“We need to fundamentally change the way we think about soil. It isn't simply something we grow crops in. It is one of our most important natural defenses against both drought and flooding. Healthy soils act like a sponge, holding onto precious rainfall for longer during dry periods and absorbing more water when heavy rain arrives.
“The message to the farming industry is simple: if we want to protect our food security, reduce flood risk and prepare for increasingly unpredictable weather, we must start by protecting our soil.”
Tim Parton, Founder of The Green Farm Collective and farmer producing RISE Re:Gen said: “One of the fundamental principles of regenerative agriculture is increasing the organic matter in our soils. For every 1% increase in soil organic matter, a hectare of land can potentially hold an additional 120,000 liters of water, rising to as much as 170,000 liters in some circumstances. That is an extraordinary amount of water that could make a real difference during prolonged dry periods.
“Regenerative farming achieves this through practices such as growing cover crops, which protect and enrich the soil, and direct drilling, where new wheat crops are planted without ploughing up the field. These methods help build organic matter, improve soil structure and increase the land's natural capacity to absorb and retain rainfall. No tilling of soil also has a positive impact on water retention in soil.
“Crucially, the benefits extend far beyond drought resilience. Healthy soils can also play a vital role in reducing flood risk. By allowing more rainfall to soak into the ground rather than running off the surface, soils rich in organic matter can help slow the movement of water into rivers and drainage systems during heavy rainfall. Improving soil health could be one of our most effective natural flood defenses, helping to protect farmland, homes and communities.