South Devon farmers push for basic income trial to secure future of local food

A group of farmers, growers and food producers in South Devon have united to help provide a new and more prosperous future for their businesses.

They have designed a proposal for a Basic Income for Farmers pilot scheme, aimed at improving livelihoods, supporting local food systems and enabling more sustainable farming. 

The proposal, published this week, is the result of a community-led design process involving farmers, market gardeners, livestock producers, researchers and food system organisers from across the South Devon bioregion. 

The report outlines how a pilot scheme could provide regular unconditional payments to farmers and food producers, helping address the income insecurity widely experienced across the sector. 

Participants involved in designing the proposal said the aim is simple: to help make it possible for farmers to produce good local food without it costing the earth. 

The proposed pilot would support between 25 and 100 farmers in South Devon, with participants receiving £1,440 per month for three to five years. 

Alongside the payments, the pilot would include collaborative elements such as peer learning, shared resources, mentoring and support for agroecological farming transitions. South Devon has become a hub for innovative farming approaches, with a high density of small-scale growers, regenerative farms and community food initiatives. 

Educational institutions such as the Apricot Centre’s School of Regenerative Agriculture, alongside local networks and organisations like the Landworkers’ Alliance, have helped train and connect a new generation of farmers. 

However, major barriers remain. Research cited in the report shows that 61% of aspiring farmers in the South West struggle to access land and 46% struggle to access finance. 

The pilot is intended to explore how direct income security could help farmers: 

• Experience economic security 
• Create community and community based solutions 
• Plan long term, particularly in regards to agroecological transition
• Build sustainable careers 
• Sell more produce at a local level The proposal now moves into its next phase: seeking partners and funding to make the pilot a reality.