The climate crisis is already impacting agriculture in the UK. Unpredictable weather patterns impact crop establishment, availability of forage for livestock, water management and soil health. But rising temperatures can also create opportunities, such as a diversification of the crops that can be grown in the UK.
Climate Smart Farming involves adapting agricultural production practices to increase farm business resilience in the face of climate change. It also includes adoption of practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and sequester carbon in the soil as the farming industry progresses towards the achievement of net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation for Agriculture is a key UK partner in the Climate Farm Demo project. This project will be running until 2029, creating opportunities for farmers to visit demo farms (150 in the UK) to see how different farm businesses are approaching adapting to climate change.
Innovation for Agriculture also offers Climate Smart Farming advisory services to farmers in the UK. This includes a visit from one of our certified advisors to complete a farm carbon audit and soil management plan, offering unbiased information about the options available to adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration.
Climate Smart Farming can be applied to any farm system or enterprise. The approach offers opportunities to increase farm resilience, profitability and food production while adapting to climate change.