England aims to farm 10% of land organically by 2036
A new ten-year plan aims to expand organic production, supply chains and public-sector demand.
The government has published a ten-year plan to increase the share of agricultural land farmed organically in England from about 3.4% towards 10% by 2036. The plan relies on advice, existing support schemes, stronger supply chains and greater demand rather than a single new farming programme.
The Organic Action Plan for England was published on Wednesday by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It was developed with the English Organic Forum and will be overseen jointly by the department and the sector group between 2026 and 2036, with some work extending beyond that period.
The plan has three main strands: helping existing and prospective organic producers and processors, bringing domestic supply closer to demand, and building demand through consumer information and public-sector procurement. Defra says farmers will be offered clearer guidance on certification, market access, business planning and the conversion process.
Organic farming currently covers around 3.4% of England’s utilised agricultural area, or approximately 301,000 hectares, according to the plan. That is set against a UK organic food and drink market worth £3.9 billion in 2025. The Soil Association’s 2026 market report says sales rose by 4.2% during 2025, while only about 3% of UK farmland is certified organic, leaving the market reliant on imports.
The plan says the main barriers to conversion include the cost and length of the transition period, uncertainty over future markets and limited peer support. Existing schemes, including the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship, already contain payments for organic conversion and maintenance. The new plan is intended to add advice, networking, market intelligence and supply-chain development alongside those schemes.
Defra presents organic farming as one route towards healthier soils, cleaner water, more biodiversity and lower reliance on synthetic inputs. It also acknowledges that organic production is not suitable for every farm and says farmers should choose the system that works best for their land and business. The plan does not provide a forecast for how the 10% ambition might affect yields, food prices or imports.
Public procurement is identified as another possible source of demand, including schools, hospitals and other public services. The government and the English Organic Forum plan to monitor changes in organically managed land, production, trade, procurement and consumer awareness. Whether the ambition results in a substantial expansion of organic farming will depend on farmer uptake, funding decisions and the development of markets able to buy more British organic produce.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The government has published a ten-year plan for England.
- The plan sets an ambition to reach 10% organically managed agricultural land by 2036.
- It proposes advice, market development, supply-chain work and greater public-sector procurement.
- Existing schemes already provide some support for organic conversion and maintenance.
Left
Arguments The state should use procurement and targeted support to expand organic farming, reduce dependence on imported food and accelerate changes that protect soils, water and biodiversity.
Values Environmental protection, food sovereignty, public health and fairness for farmers who face the cost of changing production systems.
Consequences Support could strengthen rural businesses and nature recovery, but public spending and transition costs may rise before benefits are visible.
Centre
Arguments A voluntary, evidence-led expansion is preferable to a rigid quota. Government should remove practical barriers, monitor results and adjust support according to demand and farm economics.
Values Effectiveness, consumer choice, fiscal responsibility and respect for differences between farms.
Consequences The plan could work if supply chains develop alongside production, but the ambition may remain largely symbolic without stable funding and buyers.
Right
Arguments Farmers should decide how to produce food, and government should avoid favouring one system when productivity and food security matter. Organic expansion could require more land or raise prices if yields are lower.
Values Property rights, market choice, competitiveness, affordable food and limited state intervention.
Consequences A target could distort farming decisions, increase reliance on imports or burden consumers unless the government can demonstrate clear commercial and environmental gains.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Priya Shah — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article is based on the government plan, its supporting release and the Soil Association’s market report. The 10% figure is accurately presented as an ambition, while uncertainties about implementation and consequences are clearly identified.
- confirmed Defra published a ten-year Organic Action Plan for England on 14 October 2026. — Confirmed by the publication date and description on GOV.UK. source
- confirmed The plan aims to increase organically managed land from about 3.4% towards 10% by 2036. — The target ambition is stated in the government press release and plan. source
- confirmed The plan has three strands covering production, supply and demand. — The three themes are listed in the Organic Action Plan. source
- confirmed The UK organic food and drink market was worth £3.9 billion in 2025 and grew by 4.2%. — Reported by the Soil Association’s 2026 Organic Market Report. source
- confirmed Existing English support schemes include payments for organic conversion and maintenance. — The plan refers to the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship. source
- confirmed The plan does not quantify effects on yields, prices or imports. — The published plan sets outcomes and actions but does not provide those forecasts. source
Editor's note
The 10% figure is an ambition for 2036, not a reported outcome. The plan sets out existing support and coordination measures, but does not quantify future funding or the effects on yields, prices or imports.Sources
- Organic Action Plan for England — Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Plan to unlock organic market for stronger farms, more homegrown food — GOV.UK
- Organic Market Report — Soil Association Certification
More on this in other media
- iNews — „organic farming”
- BBC News — „organic farming”
- The Guardian — „organic farming”