Farming on lowland peat areas - take our survey

TAKE OUR SURVEY

Niab has been working with WWF and Fenland Soil to explore and support more sustainable cropping systems on lowland peat soils. 

We are looking for farmers and growers to help us identify the constraints and opportunities for agriculture operating with high water tables in lowland peat areas, by taking this 10 minute survey, either via the link or using the QR code. The survey closes on 11th August 2025.

Your response will provide important information on the current understanding and needs for research and knowledge exchange on paludiculture and wetter farming on peat soils. 

The project so far

We have brought together the best-available knowledge to show how farming practises can adapt to achieve more sustainable cropping systems, alongside other changes in lowland peat landscapes such as peatland restoration and new crops for the bioeconomy in paludiculture systems.

Outputs include a guide, 'Managing for a sustainable future; cropping systems on drained lowland peat', to help farmers identify actions that can be taken to better manage cropping systems on these soils for a sustainable future. It gives targeted guidance and brings together information to help plan first steps - download a copy.

The evidence was brought together from science and practice through workshops, field trials, and literature review. This work contributes to the growing evidence base on how cropping systems could operate more sustainably under current and future conditions on lowland peat soils. This project is one part of an ongoing and growing collaboration that reflects the shared ambition to support food production while protecting biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the long-term future of lowland peat landscapes.

The project was supported by WWF-UK as part of a wider commitment to address the environmental impact of food production, including on lowland peat, while supporting productive, resilient farming systems. Together, we aim to identify and promote practical solutions that improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and maintain economic viability on some of the UK’s most productive – but also most environmentally sensitive – farmland.

Fenland SOIL has played a central role in convening regional partners and facilitating dialogue between land managers and researchers. We have drawn on the expertise, insights, and experiences of a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers and growers (G's Group, Wright Farm Produce, Dyson Farms, Waldersey Farms Ltd, Allpress Farms Ltd, AM & EA Davis & Son, JH Simpson & Son) who working directly with peatland soils on a day to day basis, alongside researchers, agronomists, and advisors.

This work follows up work completed in 2023 (The future of vegetable production on lowland peat report launched) to explore the future of vegetable production on lowland peat. Niab is also working with Natural England to deliver co-ordination and wider engagement for projects working on paludiculture funded by the Paludiculture Engagement Fund)