Farming

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Farming Overview

The importance of agriculture, both in the past and as a current influence on landscape character, historic and natural environments should not be understated. 12017 ha (63%)96 of the land area of Isle of Wight AONB is farmed and the future of its landscapes is linked to the sustainability of farming.

Close up of the side of a tractor parked in a field looking towards a dramatic landscape scene at sunset.
Compton Farm by Sian Grove

The underlying geology and diversity of landform dictates the suitability for farming practices and has led to a mixed patchwork landscape, traditionally of small-scale farmsteads. This small-scale nature contributes greatly to the character of the Isle of Wight AONB, but this makes it more of a challenge to achieve economies of scale. In the 20th Century this led to increased leasing of land to larger scale operators, particularly in relation to arable cultivation.  Many smaller farms continue to rely on diversification; however, this mix now encompasses activities such as tourism (holiday lets), retail (farm shops) and more recently renewable energy production (bio-fuels).  The Isle of Wight AONB recognises and supports diversification that enables farmsteads to continue to have farming as their primary activity and where this contributes to the on-going management, conservation, and enhancement of the AONB landscape.

Farmers and land managers have a major role to play in continuing to conserve and enhance the AONB.  There is a need to support and encourage sympathetic land management practices for their landscape benefits. This has been partly delivered through agri-environment schemes designed to add landscape, ecological and cultural value predominately through EU funding.  Local partners work closely with landowners and farmers to facilitate the maximum benefits for the landscape through advice, guidance, practical help and through the gathering and sharing of information.

The pressure for sub-division of land for non-agricultural activities is of on-going concern.  Multiple ownerships and the shift away from traditional farming can bring with it additional structures and incongruous features contrary to the character of the landscape.  Piecemeal disposal of land results in even smaller land holdings and may also raise questions of long-term economic viability and reduce the capacity for diversification. 

Island status and the cost of transport to access processing and markets on the mainland have a major economic impact on the viability of farming within the AONB.  Island farmers face additional disadvantages through the lack of local supportive infrastructure.  Livestock farmers are increasingly under pressure as rising prices and changing legislation make the logistics and expense created through the lack of an abattoir or slaughterhouse and incinerator. 

Key Facts and Figures

Isle of Wight AONB Land Use - Outside Ring 2021, Inside Ring 2013. Including; Arable, Temporary Grass, Permanent Grass, Rough Grazing and other Woodland
Isle of Wight AONB Farm Type - Outside Ring 2021, Inside Ring 2013. Including; Cereals, General Cropping, Grazing, Mixed, Other.

Farming statistics show that the area of farmed land and number of farms has declined by 11%. There have been increases in arable and rough grazing over the past decade. There has been a decline in both the cattle herds and sheep flocks but an increase in non-cereal arable production, due in part to increased maize for the anaerobic digesters, producing biogas, at Arreton and Newport.

Sustaining the Landscape

Agriculture is a major economic contributor to the area as well as the dominant land use contributor. It has a direct relationship with the conservation and enhancement of the Isle of Wight AONB.

Close up photo of a wheat field, blue sky behind crops with white fluffy clouds
Niton and Whitwell by Sian Grove

Agriculture is important for food production, as well as the production of crops for the emerging biofuel industry.  It also provides rural employment.  The diverse agricultural industry, managed on small scale farmsteads (when compared to the mainland) results in many being heavily reliant on subsidies in the form of Stewardship (Environmental Stewardship 2005 – 2014 and Countryside Stewardship 2016 – present), Basic Payment Scheme or the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).

There are several threats to the on-going sustainability of farming on the Isle of Wight. Markets are extremely volatile and the farming infrastructure that supports businesses call into question the viability of farming in the longer term.

The infrastructure of the biogas market has brought a whole crop market to Island farmers. This is the only large-scale processing of agricultural produce on the island and It provides a circular economy with environmental benefits, reducing the need for bagged fertiliser to be transported on the ferries as the associated digestate provides nutrition.  The price is partially based on an index linked system offering some core stability for farmer and, un-marketed crop is avoided as the raw material is silage, a preserved product, meaning harvest is not reliant on the marketplace but can be stored until needed. The evolution of the biogas market has addressed some of the challenges to sustainability that farming on an Island presents. 

The National DEFRA June Census94 has shown, that since 2013, the reduction in the total number of farms (by 11%). Whilst the number of livestock farms has increased by 8%, the number of cattle has fallen by 19 % and the number of sheep is down 22%. The number of farms involved in cereals alone is down 29% but general cropping is up 21% possibly reflecting the operation of biomass plants. Unsurprisingly the number of workers on farmland has declined by 19%. The consequences and opportunities of these changes need to be better understood.

One white and one black sheep in a field with green grass and with a warm yellow and orange coloured sky on a cold day
Afton by Sian Grove

Management Influences and Forces for Change

Environmental Land Management Scheme97

Following the withdrawal from the European Union and the Common agricultural Policy, the UK government sought to produce a new programme of support for farmers and undertook a transition from Basic Payment Scheme subsidies to ‘public money for public goods’. This new scheme is still in development, but three elements have been designed by the government to help the transition and beyond. The current elements are:

  • Sustainable Farming Incentive – SFI
    Introduced in 2021 as a pilot, this element has now been rolled out and pays farmers to adopt and maintain sustainable farming practices that can protect and improve the environment. Available as a three-year management agreement, SFI will pay for several options including soil testing and soil management, cover crops and herbal lays, hedgerow management, integrated pest management, nutrient management, wildlife options for arable and grass and buffer strips for water resource protection. SFI continues to evolve, and new options may be added as the transition away from EU subsidies continues.
  • Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT)
    This scheme is part of the existing Countryside Stewardship programme and will deliver a more flexible and less prescriptive offer where possible, while ensuring they continue to deliver vital environmental outcomes. The CSHT scheme will offer 132 management actions to protect and enhance the environment, including sensitive sites like SSSIs. This includes a range of new actions, including for species management, moorland, woodland management, agro-forestry, waterbodies and permissive access.
  • Landscape Recovery
    Landscape Recovery Scheme has been introduced as competitive rounds of applications for funding landscape scale projects covering 50-500 ha. Initially individuals or organisations can apply for development funding and if this bid is accepted the landscape scale project can be developed over two years (approx.) to produce a fully-fledged project. Projects are expected to attract private sector funding and last 20 years or more. Target priorities have included rivers and water resources, native species recovery, carbon emissions reduction, improving the condition of protected sites and creating new habitats.

Farming in Protected Landscapes98

Launched in 2021 the Farming in Protected Landscapes is a grant programme available to farmers and landowners in AONBs and National Parks (collectively Protected Landscapes). Since the launch of the programme the Isle of Wight AONB has engaged with over 53 farmers in 70 projects. These projects have included 14,500m of hedgerow establishment and restoration and 192 ha of improved management on designated sites. The scheme has released over £863,000 into the local economy in the Isle of Wight AONB.

Other Factors

The formation and facilitation of Farmer Clusters99, groups of farmers working together on a landscape scale, is an important alternative way of working to maximise the benefits these grants will fund. Four Farmer Clusters have been supported by the Isle of Wight AONB covering the catchment of the eastern river Yar, farmland in the south-west, farmland in the south and graziers across the IW.

Agri-environment schemes play a vital role in subsidising farmers for undertaking measures which support the landscape, natural and historic environments, and objectives for these on their holdings.  Schemes which incentivise the facilitation of ‘public goods’, such as eco-system services, possibly through payment by results, are being piloted across the country.

Pests and diseases have the potential for severe implications for the farming sector and its viability.  These often require a rapid response and knock on implications for wildlife and access.  There is currently a voluntary code of practice to prevent the spread of Bovine Tuberculosis onto the Isle of Wight.

Climate change will stimulate the need to adapt farming practices including provision of shelter from heat and sunlight for livestock, water conservation and capture for use in periods of drought, new crops and farming techniques.

Photo of a tractor ploughing a field surrounded by soil on a sunny day. Dust being taken on the wind. Green grass and trees in the background.
Working in the Field by Mollie Sheath

The viability of the farming sector is based upon the cost of inputs and the price realised for outputs.  Costs are higher on the Isle of Wight due to the lack of local infrastructure meaning that livestock has to be taken to the mainland for slaughter.  Provision of local infrastructure for livestock farming and processing of meat products will help the viability of this sector.

Diversification activities such as the conversion of redundant farm buildings for tourism or appropriate rural business activities can help to supplement farm incomes and help contribute to farming practices benefitting the landscape.  Additionally, farm-based renewable energy solutions are helping to meet carbon reduction targets and providing valuable farm income. There is a need to ensure diversification activities do not become the primary focus of agricultural businesses or have any urbanising influences, contrary to landscape character.

Similarly local markets and food networks have the potential to add value to farm produce and decrease transport costs.

Genuine need for farm worker accommodation for those involved in agriculture or related to succession of ownership or farm management within families has the potential to see new but small-scale development.

Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)100

The introduction of nature-based solutions (NBS) may be increasingly important as private sector funding is added to the alternative income streams. Markets in nutrient neutrality, carbon, and biodiversity net gain (BNG) will play a vital role in climate change mitigation, improved water quality and conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. Led by the National Trust and local Wildlife Trust, 580 ha (5%) of farmland in the AONB is currently being managed for reductions in nutrient run-off, regenerative farming and to enhance the landscape and biodiversity.

Policies for Farming

These policies should be read in conjunction with the overarching objectives for the Isle of Wight AONB as detailed on the welcome and overview page – Isle of Wight National Landscape: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2025-2030 – Isle of Wight National Landscape.

P31        Encourage environmentally friendly farming practices, farm diversification and infrastructure, which contributes to the DEFRA Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes and the sustainability of the farming sector.

P32        Support programmes, initiatives, and collaborative approaches, such as Farmer Clusters, to maximise opportunities for the farming community and delivers AONB objectives.

P33        Promote the intrinsic relationship between farming activities and the landscape of the Isle of Wight AONB including the development of local markets for farm produce, management for increased biodiversity and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Priorities for Delivery

  • Support initiatives which conserve and enhance the designated landscape through targeted action including DEFRA Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes, Access for All, Farming in Protected Landscapes and Farmer Clusters
  • Promote initiatives that support farm diversification (including income for land use change) to provide alternatives for the agricultural community.
  • Support promotion and celebration of good environmental practice.

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