PepsiCo UK has announced bold plans to cut the carbon emissions and water usage across its farmer suppliers by 50% over the next five years.

The parent company of Walkers, Quaker, Tropicana and Copella is one of the largest buyers of British potatoes, oats and apples, working with 350 British farmers.

Its Sustainable Farming Report details how the company will work with suppliers to reach its “50 in five” aim.

Measures include: The use of a computerised carbon calculator that allows farmers to analyse carbon use during farming practices and make effective changes; a trial of a novel low-carbon fertiliser; a new web-based crop management system that allows growers to maximise yield and quality; and a series of workshops where growers can learn how technology can reduce their carbon footprint.

“Farming is in the DNA of our business – we rely on British produce every day and sustainable agriculture is essential to our future,” Richard Evans, president of PepsiCo UK and Ireland said.

“In partnership with our 350 UK farmers, I’m confident that we will realise our aim to reduce carbon emissions and water used in farming by 50% over the next five years.”

Andrew Clark, NFU head of policy services said UK farmers were well aware of the need to produce more food with less environmental impact and that strong relationships with end-users were the key to making it happen.

“Only a long-standing partnership between PepsiCo and its growers will deliver the 50 in five target by investing in new ways of growing and storing crops to achieve this goal. But the reward is substantial: more productive and sustainable UK-sourced food will be a win-win for the economy and the environment.”

• The report can be downloaded at www.pepsico.co.uk/farming