AN initiative co-founded by Welsh potato supplier Puffin Produce has reported strong environmental results for potato and dairy enterprises following its initial pilot year and will be undergoing a full-scale roll-out this Spring.
The Wales Landscape Enterprise Network (LENs) is a collaborative funding framework providing a solution-based approach to supply chain and environmental challenges and was founded by Puffin Produce and Pembrokeshire Creamery with support from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. Developed by 3Keel, the initiative is the first of its kind in Wales.
LENs has successfully demonstrated that by funding technology, innovation, and nature-based solutions, it can de-risk management changes and enable land managers to enhance landscape resilience. This, in turn, benefits supply chain profitability, environmental outcomes and the wider local community.
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has been a key stakeholder, giving valuable support and guidance throughout the pilot, which focussed initially on the Special Area of Conservation Western Cleddau river catchment.
LENS enables stakeholders and organisations to co-fund nature-based solutions and on-farm innovation to deliver water quality management, resilient supply of agricultural products, carbon reduction, and biodiversity outcomes. It brings private and public sector organisations together with a common interest in improving the resilience of the landscape. Brokers deals between these ‘demand-side’ partners and farmers who are in a position to deliver them on the ground.
Depending on what is to be implemented, agreements can be annual for options such as enhanced cover cropping or longer-term, such as the establishment of hedgerows.
“The results from two flagship pilot farms, one potato-focused and one dairy, have demonstrated significant uplifts in biodiversity while reducing emissions and reliance on artificial fertilisers without compromising agricultural yields,” an official announcement said.
Potato and arable business, Dudwell Farm, implemented more than 150 acres of measures, including a transition from granular to foliar fertilisers reducing nitrogen application on average by 27 kg/hectare. This led to a 16.85% reduction in the kg / CO2e per tonne of potatoes and a 25% total benefit across key wildlife species groups.
Emma Adams, Head of Sustainability for Puffin Produce and Pembrokeshire Creamery, said: “The pilot has proven that LENs is a pragmatic, tried-and-tested approach for delivering multiple environmental benefits on-farm. We are dealing with complex, interconnected systems, but this collaborative, inclusive approach has shown we can deliver both for nature and our food-producing businesses.
“By sharing the successes from our pilot farms, we hope that other stakeholders in the catchment area will join us to work on a range of positive outcomes, including water quality, biodiversity and decarbonisation. If we can build the programme to include more public and private sector partners, and more farms, we can significantly scale-up the beneficial impacts.
“By funding nature-based interventions, partners can materially improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, and secure the long-term resilience of Wales’ agriculture,” she said.
Wales LENs stakeholder workshops take place throughout the year. To express an interest in the initiative or attending get in touch with the team here.
Further information about LENs can be found on the Wales LENs webpages.
Photo: Puffin Produce’s CEO Huw Thomas is pictured (far right) with Head of Sustainability Emma Adams (fourth from left) and other members of the LENS team initiative.
