Getting to root of ‘green recovery’

Green recovery? It’s the buzz phrase that implies there’s a jaunty solution to both the climate change emergency and the economic ravages of the pandemic – but what exactly does it mean? And what are the implications for agriculture?

Is it about growing more legumes? Turning more land over to forestry? Reducing livestock numbers? Spreading crushed rock to draw more carbon into soils? Or is it simply a mishmash of random ideas that aim to make the most of Scotland’s natural capital?

In the following pages, two of the sector’s most prominent scientists interpret this as a time to reset and rejuvenate the industry.

Professor Wayne Powell, the principal of Scotland’s Rural College, suggests we see the current crisis as a catalyst to seize new opportunities, and Professor Derek Stewart, who leads the agrifood business sector team at the James Hutton Institute, describes new investment in projects such as the International Barley Hub as “framing the future” for the industry.

Meanwhile, as the Scottish Government ploughs evermore funding into forestry to meet climate change targets, one farmer describes how planting more trees has been beneficial to his enterprise, and there’s a positive story on local food supplies on Arran, which brings us full circle to those panic weeks in March when our vulnerability to just-in-time global supply chains was a shocking wake-up call. The return of plentiful supplies and well-stocked shelves should not distract governments from putting food security centre stage in any green recovery plan – and that includes ensuring the farming industry is equipped with all the tools it needs to fulfil its primary role.

Picture: Shutterstock. After panic in March, food is back in plentiful supply.