Healthy soil is essential to enable our farmers to grow healthy crops and raise livestock. If soil is poorly managed, its nutrients will be depleted and the quality of watercourses and biodiversity will be affected
Soil management also plays a critical role in conserving soil carbon, vital in its own right for productive agriculture and a resource of enormous importance to society in our efforts to control the impacts of climate change. Soil health is essential to achieving net zero.
Optimising soil management is a complex area of significant research and new understanding; the soil structure, chemistry, organic matter and soil biology need to be just right.
Recognising the importance of good soil management, the Duchy has joined forces with the Farm Carbon Toolkit, to help its tenants with testing and bespoke advice on soil health and improving carbon performance.
Two dedicated soil advisors are visiting each of the Duchy farms to offer advice and support before agreeing an effective soil management plan.
