Challenges in Modern Farming
Challenges in Modern Farming
Farming practices in Great Britain are now moving towards being more environmentally friendly.
The Northmoor Trust's sustainable farming initiative demonstrates that economically viable farming can work alongside wildlife conservation.
Oxfordshire is the most rural county in the south east of England, with 78% of its area currently agricultural land.
The main crops grown in the Wittenhams area are cereals with oilseed rape and peas and field beans grown as break crops. On the better quality agricultural land market-garden vegetables, soft fruits, potatoes and leeks are grown, and livestock is kept on the lower-quality land primarily within the flood plain.
Countryside Stewardship Scheme
In the early 1990s the government recognised the damage that intensive farming was causing to the environment. The Countryside Stewardship scheme was introduced to encourage farmers to look after the land they farmed.
The scheme offers farmers a financial incentive to improve the landscape and wildlife habitats by adopting land management practices.
