Waitrose has partnered with a digital mapping tool provider to help more than 2,000 farmers across the UK assess the state of nature on their land and develop plans for improvements. British farmers are the backbone of our food system, and this partnership with Land App is about supporting them to secure a sustainable future for their farms.
The supermarket has forged a partnership with Land App as it strives to assess the state of nature on all UK farms supplying for its own-brand product ranges by 2026.
Under the partnership with Land App, farmers in Waitrose’s supply chain will gain free access to advanced mapping tools. Land App enables farmers to gather real-time data on the environmental health of their land, with information measured in relation to dozens of sustainability metrics (more than 60), evaluate and act on to support the adoption of nature-friendly farming.
This then enables reporting & Waitrose will monitor progress year-on-year.
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Once farmers have baseline information about the environmental health of their land, they will be supported to identify areas for improvement and implement impactful changes. Beyond receiving advice in the app, they will be supported to connect with ‘accredited professionals’ from organisations including the Wildlife Trusts and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.
Farm resilience
Building resilience and sustainability on farms is more crucial now than ever. It not only supports nature, reduces flooding and mitigates the effects of climate change but also secures food production for future generations.”
A 2024 survey from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) confirmed that eight in ten farmers have seen either ‘fairly negative’ or ‘very negative’ impacts to their land and infrastructure from flooding recently. 65% of respondents confirmed a year-on-year fall in profits.
The period between October 2022 and March 2024 was officially the wettest 18-month stint on record for the UK. Nature-based solutions can help farmers cope with wet weather by enhancing water absorption, slowing runoff and reducing erosion.
These pressures, compounded by other issues including low farm-gate prices, export challenges post-Brexit, and changes to inheritance tax, have prompted farmers to protest in Westminster in recent weeks.
Farmers need to see a coherent and signposted plan for change with details of the risks posed and the support available to farmers.
