Designing a new model of insurance for farmers experimenting with climate friendly practices23/4/2024
By Zainab Oyetunde-Usman, Rothamsted Research This project, led by Zainab, was one of 16 scoping studies to receive funding from the AFN Network+ in 2023 In the UK, agriculture has a large impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 68% of nitrous oxide and 47% of methane emissions – with a significant impact on the ecosystem. Farms are diverse and complex and mitigating farm emissions and achieving the UK’s 2050 net zero target will require experimentation to establish which combination of net-zero practices work best on each farm. Also, farms are open systems, meaning that agricultural production occurs in a wide range of lands and climate risks such as flood, biodiversity carbon loss etc can be linked and do not occur in isolation. Tackling climate risks and reducing farm emissions will therefore require collaboration at a landscape scale. How do we reduce risk for farmers who want to experiment with various practices and see which can effectively tackle climate risk? This was the key research question raised by our team at the AFN Network+ Crucible workshop in June 2023, made up of researchers at Glasgow University (Rachel Opitz), Rothamsted Research (Zainab Oyetunde-Usman) and the SRUC (Joana Ferreira). Our idea of farmers’ risk-pooling through collective insurance to jointly tackle climate risk is akin to people taking building insurance for blocks of flats to cover major risks such as fire, flood, theft etc. Taking insurance individually is expensive and collective farm insurance products can provide a cheaper risk-pooling option accessible to all farmers. Also, innovation at a large scale has more impact than on a single farm. A new model of collective insurance for farmers Collective insurance products are uncommon and to support farmers in experimenting and taking risks as a group, our project explores the design of a new model of collective insurance for farmers trying new climate-smart practices as a cohort, across a catchment. We will consult with farmers, insurance companies and other key stakeholders to understand varying needs. For example, we will carry out market research on what attributes of collective farm insurance are preferable, farmers’ willingness to participate, and what activities and innovations can be insured. To practically test this out, we will experiment with an example of net-zero farm practices – use of nitrification inhibitors – which are effective in reducing nitrous oxide emissions from nitrogen fertilisers. It also increases nitrogen use efficiency, reduces leaching and indirectly improves water quality. We key into Portsmouth Water's objectives of promoting efficient nitrogen fertiliser management practices for reduced emissions and improved water quality, by engaging arable farmers in their catchment areas The key outputs from our project will include:
One of the main outcomes we aim to achieve at the end of this project is to design market attributes of collective farm insurance that can incentivise farmers to change their practices. Our research will accelerate the appearance on the market of a viable product which can drive changes in farmers’ practices, leading to material reductions in GHG and co-benefits of more sustainable farming practices. For our experiment, if farmers buy into collective insurance, they can jointly experiment with efficient fertilisers at low cost, and as well benefit from improved yield, increased adaptability and resilience. Also, efficient fertilisation means reduced farm emissions and water pollution and improved local environment which is beneficial to the rural populace. If you missed our annual network gathering last month, you can now watch the key presentations on YouTube, by clicking the names of our three distinguished and very thought-provoking speakers below:
Sue Pritchard is a farmer and chief executive of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission. Judith Batchelar OBE is deputy chair of the Environment Agency and former brand director for Sainsbury’s. Navaratnam Partheeban OBE is a farm vet and founder of the British Veterinary Ethnicity & Diversity Society. Key points from Sue’s presentation:
You can also watch past webinars here and listen to our podcast here. Follow AFN Network+ on Twitter/X and LinkedIn. By Dr Maria Traka and Dr Laura BardonThis project was one of 16 scoping studies to receive funding from the AFN Network+ in 2023. In this blog, project lead Dr Maria Traka and Dr Laura Bardon from Quadram Institute Bioscience describe why they're developing a sustainability data map for the UK dairy food chain. Our food system produces a third (34%) of global greenhouse gas emissions. As the effects of climate change accelerate, we’re likely to see a shift towards more sustainable diets which put less strain on the environment and our natural resources. However, diets cannot be truly sustainable unless they are also nutritionally balanced and so nutritional contribution, healthiness and environmental sustainability of food must be considered in combination. Whilst animal-based foods e.g. milk, produce more carbon per kg than plant based foods, they are rich in specific micronutrients (e.g., iron, vitamin B12) which are important for health and not found abundantly in plant-based foods. Milk, which is consumed widely throughout the UK, is rich in calcium, vitamin B12, iodine and selenium. Despite being drunk widely, certain groups such as teenage girls and pregnant women still risk deficiency of some of these nutrients due to their high needs. The food chain is constantly evolving to improve sustainability. For milk, the UK dairy roadmap sets targets for environmental improvements including emissions, water use, energy efficiency, biodiversity and waste so the environmental impact of the dairy food chain is continually evolving. However there can be variation in the environmental impact of the same foods being produced both within the same and across different countries. There is a need for up to date data which accurately quantifies the environmental and nutritional impact of the practices and processes across the food chain to identify more sustainable ways to produce milk whilst maintaining the nutritional content. Data is collected across the food chain by different stakeholders, but it is fragmented and needs better alignment for the purposes of policy design, implementation, monitoring, and research. Our project will map the environmental sustainability and nutritional composition data that exist across the milk supply chain from farm production to shop shelf by interviewing stakeholders across the supply chain. These will include trade associations, farmers unions, processing companies, retailers and government bodies involved in milk production. We will gain knowledge on the environmental and nutritional data that currently exists, the methods used for measuring and collecting the data, how the data interacts across different stages of the food chain, explore individual’s attitudes to data openness, visualise data coverage and identify any data gaps. As well as involving collaboration with government, policymakers, nutrition professionals and industry stakeholders, our research will include critical dairy stakeholders (DairyUK, FSA, DEFRA) and so the insights gained can be directly fed back into and optimise the real-world food system. It will also enable evaluation of new regulations and policies implemented by policymakers aimed at improving public health and the environment. This places this research in a unique position to have a measurable and lasting impact on the progress of the dairy food chain towards net zero. These data maps will contribute to our understanding of how changes in processes or practices could impact the sustainability and nutritional content of the milk which ends up on our supermarket shelves and help us to identify key stages in the chain where changes could be made to reduce environmental impact. If you missed our webinar with Dominic Watters on ‘How food system transformation is middle class and why this needs to change’, you can now read a briefing of the key points and wider discussion. Dominic, also known as Single Dad SW, is a single dad living in poverty and food and fuel insecurity in London. His estate is a ‘food desert’ in the Garden of England, and he and his daughter survive off free school meals, Universal Credit and pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters. Dominic is an increasingly sought after voice on these issues, and has become a campaigner and speaker. He is the author of Social Distance in Social Work: COVID Capsule One and has appeared on BBC Newsnight, Sky News, and the New Statesman to name a few. A few key points from the briefing;
Read the briefing here or watch the webinar here. You can also browse our back catalogue of webinars here
The AFN Network+ is excited to introduce our six new Champions for 2024. The Champions bring a wealth of expertise spanning the agri-food system, from hands-on farming to wider industry, academia and the public sector. Each Champion will lead one of six research themes, identified by our members during The Big Tent 2023, our annual general meeting.
Leaders in their respective fields, the Champions bring a diverse range of experience. From hospitality to innovative agri-businesses, communications, third sector organisations and food systems research, their backgrounds encompass the food system from farm to fork. Our Champions play a key role in supporting our mission of identifying key research gaps that may be holding the UK food system back from transitioning towards a net zero UK by 2050. Drawing on their expertise and knowledge, the Champions will build their own networks, centred around their respective theme. They will run engagement activities with the aim of seeking and synthesising ideas and thinking around the drive towards achieving net zero by 2050. Crucially, they will map the research and innovation landscape, within their theme as well as across others, identifying critical knowledge and activity gaps that need addressing. Stefan Kepinski, Champions Coordinator said: “We’re thrilled to welcome our exceptional new Champions. They bring with them unique insight into the agri-food sector, which is crucial if we want to advance real change in the food system as the UK transitions to net zero. We eagerly anticipate the valuable contribution they’ll make to the Network.” |
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April 2024
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UK Research has funded this Network+ with the support of these 4 councils:
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Privacy Policy |