Trying to make a living from small-scale veg production today isn’t easy. There are many barriers, including access to land, and most growers struggle financially. Farm gate prices are low, inputs costs are high, yet if the UK is to deliver more healthy, nutritious produce in an agroecological way, something needs to change.
At a time of ‘public money for public goods’ in farming, could a basic income for growers help the horticulture sector? Could it also boost national food security, improve public health, reduce emissions, as well as resolve labour shortages?
