Guy Singh-Watson, founder of Riverford Organic Farmers, discusses cardoons—a perennial crop he admires—while expressing concerns about their popularity as food. He reflects on his upbringing at Riverford Farm, where his parents, influenced by their background from colonial families, sought to engage in meaningful agricultural practices during a time of food rationing in the UK.
Singh-Watson’s unorthodox views stand out in the farming community. He advocates for reduced meat consumption for environmental sustainability and argues that large agricultural producers should face inheritance tax. He has been critical of UK policies around Brexit, describing it as a misstep and expressing his discontent with the current political climate. His perspectives extend to the taxation system, wherein he supports a wealth tax and would prefer higher thresholds for inheritance tax on farms.
Riverford, which has grown under his leadership, reported a turnover of £113 million for 2023-2024, eventually being sold to its employees for £10 million. Singh-Watson’s approach to farming emphasizes ecological responsibility and community, seeking to show that ethical farming can be commercially successful. He believes that the rising cost of housing, rather than food, is the primary driver of poverty. He challenges perceptions of organic produce as an “expensive luxury,” pointing instead to the profits taken by supermarkets.
Singh-Watson’s foray into organic farming began when he returned to the family farm in the late 1980s after a career in management consultancy. He reflects on his experiences with autism, which he was diagnosed with recently, and how it has influenced his business outlook. As he considers the future of Riverford, he aims to balance commercial success with ethical practices in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/24/how-riverfords-guy-singh-watson-became-the-most-brutally-honest-farmer-in-britain