Farming UK reports that a new report by the Green Alliance has found that farmers can boost incomes if they are paid to restore habitats on lowest grade agricultural land

Using existing budget to restore poorest quality land would also support rural communities, increase bird populations by 50% and slash emissions, the thinktank says.

Its new report 'Land of opportunity' finds that the least productive 10% of land in England produces only around 0.5% of the food consumed.

Supporting farmers to restore natural habitats on low grade land would also boost incomes by 20%.

But this would require the government to fulfil existing promises around nature restoration rather than provide additional funding.

In the short term, allocating £600m to recovering 10% of the English landscape would provide those farming the most unproductive land with an opportunity to establish more stable incomes, the report says.

Full article:

Farming UK - Pay farmers to restore habitats on lowest grade land, thinktank says