Farmers that use land to protect the environment have more stable incomes than those that focus on intensity Farmers who grew diverse crops and reduced pesticides found they had more stable incomes 21 January 2021 • 1:52pm This is good news for the new environment-led payments scheme championed by the UK government Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire Farmers reliant on EU subsidies cared for the environment less, a new study has suggested. The farms which reduced pesticides and cared for more diverse crops and livestock also enjoyed a more stable income, a report from Rothampsted Research and Reading and Newcastle Universities has found.