UK drought threatens food security as crops wither

England's driest July on record has left farmers like John Pawsey staring at dust-filled fields and worrying about the nation's food security. Pawsey, whose family has farmed in Suffolk since the late 19th century, reported his oat and wheat yields have dropped by 25-30%. "Suddenly, everything has dried up," he told AFP, describing a drought that "seems endless."

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Suddenly, everything has dried up.

Heatwaves have battered the country since May, compounding five years of extreme weather events for agriculture. Pawsey is experimenting with drought-resistant crops like fava beans and chickpeas on his organic farm. He's also testing methods to improve soil resilience, such as intercropping. "All our fears were confirmed when we started the harvest and saw that yields had fallen," he said.

Food security expert Timothy Benton advocates for a less intensive, more circular and diversified agricultural system. He also stressed the need for greater investment in technological innovations to tackle the climate crisis. Meanwhile, Nicola Cannon, a professor at the Royal Agriculture College, is researching soybean cultivation as a potentially profitable and resilient crop for British farms.

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All our fears were confirmed when we started the harvest and saw that yields had fallen.

Some beloved British foods are particularly hard-hit. Pea crops have received minimal rain since March, yielding only half the expected volume. Pawsey's farm also lost an entire quinoa harvest, with only sorrel and thistle growing in the parched soil. Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers Union, warned that persistent drought could lead to food shortages, stating, "We have taken our food supply for granted for too long."

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We have taken our food supply for granted for too long.