Farmers and growers in England
can apply for up to £500,000 in Government funding from today to
invest in cutting edge robotics and technology to boost food
production.
Grants ranging from £35,000 up
to £500,000 are available to invest in productivity-boosting
equipment such as driverless tractors, robots that harvest, spray
crops and weed, and automated milking systems.
The new scheme, worth £25
million in total, is the latest instalment of the Farming Investment
Fund – an umbrella fund which opened in November and is
designed to increase productivity on farms. It’s part of the
Government’s Agricultural Transition Plan – the biggest changes
to farming in more than 50 years, which will reward farmers and
landowners for actions which benefit the environment, supporting
sustainable food production alongside vital nature recovery and
work towards net zero.
The application window for the
Improving Farm Productivity
theme of the Farming Investment
Fund has opened today. Farmers and agricultural
contractors are being urged to take advantage of this opportunity
to apply for grants to buy new equipment and
infrastructure to improve efficiency and help us build back
greener. Further themed grants will open later this year.
Farmers will also be able to
apply for grants towards new slurry management systems. They can
purchase equipment that lowers the acid in slurry which in turn
increases the nutrients for plants and reduces ammonia emissions
and pollution. This will contribute to the 25 Year Environment
Plan, Clean Air Strategy, and Government commitments to achieving
net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Farming Minister said:
“We know how important it is
for farmers to identify opportunities that maximise productivity
and yields. These grants are aimed at contributing towards the
purchase of new and green equipment that can bring a positive
change to the day to day operation of a farm, as well as the
wider environment.
“This specific fund has a
two-month application window, and I encourage everyone in the
sector to take a look at eligibility and fund details.”
Rural Payments Agency
Chief Executive Paul Caldwell said:
“If you are a farm owner and
are planning to invest in your business to increase productivity
in an environmentally sustainable way, this fund may be suited to
your needs.
“There is a wide variety of
equipment and systems farmers can apply for though the Farming
Investment Fund, and our new online eligibility checker is
designed to make your application process even faster and
easier.”
The farming industry will play
a crucial role in helping this Government reach its Net Zero
ambitions and today’s announcement builds on a
series of commitments in the Net Zero Strategy. This includes a
£124 million boost to the Nature for Climate Fund, helping meet
commitments to restore approximately 280,000 hectares of peat in
England by 2050 and treble woodland creation in England by the
end of this Parliament.
Farmers are also able to access
business support through the Farming Resilience Fund. The fund
awards grants to organisations so that they can support farmers
and land managers who are in receipt of Basic Payment Scheme
payments.
Notes to
editor:
- The Fund is delivered by the Rural Payment Agency.
- The application window for the Improve Farm Productivity fund
is open from 19 January to 16 March.
- Grants are paid in arrears, and at least 60% of the project
costs need to be paid for through private sources like savings or
a bank loan. Further information is available in the Improving Farm
Productivity on GOV.UK.
- Further information on the Farming Investment Fund is
available at the following GOV.UK links:
