Tesco has called on retailers, suppliers and innovators to work together to help British farmers adopt low-carbon fertilisers at scale.

The supermarket said the move could strengthen UK food security, cut emissions and reduce farmers’ exposure to global fertiliser supply chain disruption.

Tesco UK chief executive Ashwin Prasad was due to discuss the role of farm innovation at London Tech Week, as the retailer relaunched its Tesco Agri-tech Challenge to identify new agricultural technologies.

The retailer said low-carbon fertilisers could offer a more price-stable, UK-produced alternative to conventional fertilisers, as recent supply pressures and price increases had created further uncertainty for farmers.

Trials at Tesco’s Low Carbon Concept Farm in Lincolnshire had already delivered a 50 per cent reduction in potato carbon emissions when combined with other low-carbon growing techniques, with no impact on yield or quality.

The trial was carried out with Tesco potato supplier Branston, with 500 tonnes of potatoes later sold in Tesco stores.

Prasad said: “We want to support our British farmers in rolling out innovation – it can help increase economic growth, build resilience and improve efficiencies on farm.

“But too often promising technologies struggle to move from trial to everyday use on farms.

“Low carbon fertilisers are a clear example. They have real potential to reduce environmental impact, strengthen the resilience of UK food production, and keep a reliable supply of British products on our shelves.”

He said scaling the technology would require wider availability, clearer pricing and long-term confidence for farmers.

Tesco said many farmers still faced barriers to adopting new technologies, including limited supply and difficulty accessing funding for trials.

The supermarket has relaunched its Agri-tech Challenge to find start-ups and innovators with practical solutions to improve farm sustainability, resilience and productivity.

Applications are open until July 3, with winners able to work with Tesco and its supplier partners, including trials on supplier farms and a one-year Agri-TechE membership.

Tesco said the challenge formed part of its wider work to support British farmers through its Sustainable Farming Groups across milk, cheese, potatoes, beef, pork and lamb.

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