29/05/26 Water abstraction, food inflation, local food systems.
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of water shortages on farming, rising food prices, and a local initiative to promote healthy eating.
Water is a main topic of conversation amongst farmers at the moment - because it's in short supply. Memories of the wet winter have been dried out by the recent hot weather and those growing crops or indeed relying on grass to feed their animals are all talking about rain which hasn't materialised. Environment Agency figures show that rainfall across England last month was 38% of the long term average. However, some areas got far less. We speak to an expert about what this means for water abstraction and growers who irrigate their crops over the summer using water from rivers or aquifers. Food prices keep rising - industry bodies suggest an increase of 9 or 10% by the end of the year. The cost of energy, diesel, fertiliser and other farming inputs have been on the rise – with more inflation expected to come. All week we've been looking at local food systems. It isn’t always easy to connect households on a limited budget with fresh, healthy produce, but a farming family from Staffordshire have made that their mission. They’ve set up Farm Fresh Revolution, a project which delivers discounted fruit, vegetables and meat to local schools to inspire families to eat more healthily…
People in this episode
Host: Charlotte Smith
Topics covered
- water abstraction
- food inflation
- local food systems
- crop irrigation
- healthy eating
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Environment Agency, Farm Fresh Revolution
Places: Staffordshire
More episodes of Farming Today
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- 28/05/26 Rural crime, restoring signposts, Welsh food project
- 27/05/26 Heatwave and water shortages - the impact on farming, Scottish farm co-operative.
- 26/05/26 Mounting pressure for Scottish pig farmers, funding for rural churches, selling farm produce at markets
- 25/05/26 - The History of Crofting
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