Glastir Monitoring and Evaluation Programme final report
Read the full reportThe Glastir Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (GMEP) establishes a vital baseline for assessing soil health in Wales, highlighting the critical role of soil management in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. The report details positive outcomes from the Glastir agri-environment scheme, including increased adoption of soil health improvement practices such as a 10% rise in fertiliser spreader calibration, a 15% increase in leaving stubble for overwinter cover, and a 9.4% decrease in phosphate fertiliser use on grassland. These metrics highlight the importance of continued adoption of practices that enhance soil carbon storage and overall soil health.
The report emphasises the critical role of soil health in achieving net zero emissions in agriculture.
Each section of the ‘Farm of the Future: Journey to Net Zero’ report puts forward a vision of how farming across the UK might adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Section 4 focuses on: Farm and land resource management: soils, water and biodiversity.
This section highlights that increased adoption of nature-friendly practices such as regenerative farming and agroforestry can improve soil carbon sequestration, increase pollinator numbers, follow a trend in improvement in plant, fungal and animal biodiversity and reduction in fossil fertilisers (reducing agricultural emissions), herbicides and pesticides.
It outlines practices for improving soil carbon content. Five key principles for building and maintaining a healthy soil:
- Minimise disturbance of the soil (physical or chemical)
- Keep the soil covered (avoids exposure to extremes or sunlight, temperature, rainfall and wind
- Maintain living roots in the soil
- Maintain as much plant diversity
- Reintroduce livestock
Detailed analysis is provided on the economic and environmental benefits of soil carbon sequestration.
Recommendations for policy implementation
- The report offers several policy recommendations aimed at enhancing soil carbon sequestration and soil health. These include incentivising practices that improve soil organic matter, promoting sustainable land management, and supporting research and monitoring programs.
- Support for farmers through education and incentives to adopt sustainable practices.
- Government policies should focus on promoting regenerative agriculture and nature-friendly farming methods.
- The importance of aligning agricultural policies with climate change goals is highlighted.