Farmer and industry discussion groups and workshops have helped us understand motivation for use of plastic and awareness of its disbenefits. We have also investigated farmers’ perceptions of the barriers and opportunities associated with removing plastics from soil. Working with discussion groups and survey networks has allowed us to obtain preliminary information on behavioural barriers to uptake of new technology and we have used this information to design a questionnaire for wider survey of attitudes among users.

While the agriplastic project focuses on the societal benefits and potential impacts of plastic mulch films (PFMs) on soil and crop health, we recognise the broader issue of plastic use in agriculture. To accurately assess the contribution of PFMs to terrestrial pollution, we must understand the full spectrum of plastic inputs on farms. That is why we are also conducting detailed surveys on plastic use in up to 30 farms in each of our partner countries. This comprehensive analysis includes:

Quantifying all plastic inputs: Plastic mulch films, polytunnel coverings, irrigation pipes, fertilizer sacks, pesticide bottles, fencing, silage wrap, and more.

Tracking the fate of these plastics: Recycling, on-site burning, burial, or dumping.

Analysing potential microplastic sources: Irrigation water, composts, and biosolid applications.

These data allow us to generate quantitative farm-scale plastic budgets, revealing the relative contributions of different sources and their environmental impact. Furthermore, we are collecting soil samples to measure the storage of both micro- and macroplastics, providing important insights into the long-term effects of plastic pollution on our agricultural lands.

We are extending this research to British farms and have designed a survey which also seeks to better understand farmer perspectives about on-farm plastics. This work will contribute to addressing the gaps in shared knowledge, practices and policy-making regarding agriplastics in UK farming. 

The UK study is led by Professor Henny Osbahr and is being conducted by Dr Lewis Cameron and Arin Burke, members of staff at the School of Agriculture, Policy and International Development at the University of Reading.

Completing the survey questionnaire and sampling soil for plastic content on a farm in India