A new policy proposal is calling for farmers, crofters and food producers across Scotland to receive a guaranteed basic income of £1,000 a month, aiming to tackle financial insecurity, strengthen local food systems and enable more sustainable farming practices.
Published in October 2026, the report was developed by Basic Income 4 Farmers Scotland, the Landworkers’ Alliance and the Regenerative Farming Network, drawing on consultations with farmers, growers and crofters across Scotland.
The proposal responds to growing financial pressures facing Scotland’s agricultural sector, including rising costs, unpredictable incomes and the increasing challenges of producing food in a changing climate.
According to Scottish Government figures cited in the report, farms in Scotland made an average profit of just £500 in 2024–25 before government subsidies, following an average loss of £13,900 the previous year.
The report also highlights inequalities in the current agricultural subsidy system, which largely distributes funding according to the amount of land farmed. This can leave smaller farms, growers and horticultural producers receiving little or no financial assistance.
Supporting people, food and the environment
The proposed policy would provide a monthly payment of £1,000 directly to individuals actively working in agriculture, rather than to farm businesses.
The report argues that greater financial security could improve wellbeing, make farming more accessible to new entrants and allow producers to invest in more environmentally sustainable practices.
During consultation workshops, participants described how a basic income could reduce financial stress, create opportunities to experiment with new approaches and give farmers greater freedom to prioritise environmental stewardship alongside food production.
The proposal also raises wider questions about how Scotland values the people producing its food, and how agricultural policy can contribute to healthier communities, stronger local food systems and a more resilient natural environment.
What happens next?
The report calls on the Scottish Government to assess the costs and feasibility of introducing a basic income for farmers, crofters, growers and agricultural workers.
It also proposes exploring a longer-term shift away from land-based agricultural subsidies towards financial assistance that more directly benefits the people working in food production.
As Scotland considers the future of its food and farming systems, the report offers a starting point for discussion about how agricultural policy could better address social, economic and environmental challenges together.