Can regenerative agriculture work? Current potato tillage operations can lead to loss of soil health and increase in carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Global research has shown that the loss of soil health increases the need for fertiliser inputs and reduces farm profits – making the investment in low intensity tillage and regenerative solutions more important than ever. The PotatoLITE project designs and tests novel machinery and cultivation practices for UK-based potato farms to optimise tillage intensity, improve soil health and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the UK. Funded by Innovate UK, Defra and UKRI, the 4 year, multi-million pound project is delivered by a cross-industry consortium led by PepsiCo in partnership with McCain Foods GB Ltd, GRIMME UK Ltd, Crop Health and Protection (CHAP), Cranfield University, Harper Adams University; and farmers from Strawson Limited, JRO Griffiths Ltd, JM Bubb & Son and H Sutton & Son.
Professor Richmal Jane RICKSON (CEnv, Hon FIAgrE, MCIWEM, MISoil Sci.) Professor of Soil Erosion and Conservation, Cranfield University, UK
Jane Rickson has over 35 years experience of research, consultancy and teaching in soil and water engineering, specialising in sustainable land management. Her work focuses on soils’ role in agricultural production, environmental protection, water regulation and climate change mitigation.
Her multi-disciplinary research helps devise cost-effective land management practices to restore, conserve and regenerate soils. The aim is for soil and land resources to be resilient in the face of climate change and land degradation threats, such as flooding, drought and desertification. Jane’s work has been funded by industry partners, research councils, government agencies and policy makers. Her work has taken her all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eswatini, South Africa, Morocco, Thailand, Nepal, China, India, the USA and mainland Europe.
Jane is an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, and a Trustee of LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) and the Douglas Bomford Trust. She is a Chartered Environmentalist, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of the British Society of Soil Scientists and Institute of Professional Soil Scientists.
