Growing vegetables, fruit and pulses is benefiting farmers’ resilience, soil health and profitability - at a time when the UK faces growing pressures on food security, according to a new nationwide poll by the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN).

A recent Government analysis published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) highlights that the UK is currently not able to be fully self-sufficient in food production. The report warns that improving food security will require big changes across agriculture.

The NFFN’s survey findings suggest that expanding the production of non-cereal crops could play a key role in building this resilience, providing both environmental and economic benefits while contributing to a more diversified and sustainable domestic food supply.

The NFFN survey found that vegetables, pulses and fruit were the most common non-cereal crops being grown. A strong majority (90%) of these farmers reported clear benefits, including improved resilience through diversification, healthier soils and more varied income streams.

However, most farmers are yet to make the shift, with just 38% of those surveyed having diversified. Almost one in three (29%) said they are actively considering growing fruit, vegetables or pulses in the future, indicating significant scope for growth. Around half of non-growers cited unsuitable soils or a lack of technical expertise as key reasons.

The survey results show that adapting to the impact of climate change is the most important benefit and motivating factor for diversification. A majority of the farmers already growing non-cereal crops (83%) reported encountering challenges, with the most common issues including dealing with pests, weeds and harvesting, along with low crop prices and limited local processing infrastructure.

Farmers identified financial incentives as the single most important factor in enabling further expansion, followed closely by access to reliable local buyers and investment in processing, storage and machinery, both on farms and across the supply chain.

NFFN CEO Martin Lines said: “We know that we need to urgently increase the amount of non-cereal crops we are growing in the UK. Where farms have diversified, the benefits are clear and measurable.

“However, there is still a lot of work to do before this kind of diversification is the norm. If we want to see more homegrown fruit, veg and pulses on British plates, the conditions need to be right to make diversification a realistic option for many more farmers.

“When it’s so clear that this is a win-win situation for farmers, which can help them tackle some of the toughest issues our industry faces, we need to break down the barriers to make this approach to farming a straightforward choice for far more people.”

NFFN farmer Anthony Curwen, who is overseeing the return of veg growing to Quex Park in Kent, said: “We’re starting small, but bringing horticulture back into the rotation has real potential to improve profitability while improving our soils and biodiversity.

“Understanding your market is crucial. Diversification has helped us open up new opportunities, but many farmers don’t yet have that certainty. Making it easier to build viable routes to market would unlock a lot of potential.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The NFFN surveyed its member farmers on their experiences growing non-cereal crops. The full survey results are available on request. You can also read the Defra nature security assessment referenced in the press release here: [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nature-security-assessment-on-global-biodiversity-loss-ecosystem-collapse-and-national-security]

To find out more or arrange an interview on this, contact NFFN press officer Andrew Nowell on 07985476428 or at andrew.nowell@nffn.org.uk.

About the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN)

The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) is a farmer-led organisation helping farmers restore the balance between farming and nature. It supports farmers by sharing knowledge, resources, and case studies to boost food production, protect wildlife, and build climate resilience. NFFN also influences policy to secure fair rewards for farmers who care for nature and connect like-minded farmers across the UK.

The NFFN is a membership network open to all – farmers, the public, and organisations. Membership is free.

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