Farming Investment Fund update
DEFRA has now provided more information on the Farming Investment Fund, a grant funding vehicle for on farm investment. It is due to be launched in the Autumn and will be available to farmers and agricultural and forestry contractors.
It comprises the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, the lower value investment part of the fund and the Farming Transformation Fund, the higher value investment part of the fund.
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund will provide smaller grants to improve business performance. Farmers can apply for a grant to buy items from a set list of equipment, technology and small infrastructure investments. It is based on the current Countryside Productivity Small Grant scheme but the list of equipment is presently under review and will be refreshed ahead of the Fund being launched.
The Farming Transformation Fund
Grants awarded from The Farming Transformation Fund will support larger or more complicated investments. We await the detail but DEFRA has provided the following list of items which might be awarded grant funding:
- on-farm water storage infrastructure, including reservoirs
- precision agriculture equipment (for example, low emission and variable-rate nutrient or pesticide application)
- robotic or automated technology
- equipment and technology for storing, sorting, or processing products
For further information, please contact the rural team:
Director
Jonathan Booth
Senior Associate
Esther Goodhew
Director
Dan Page
Director
Alan Mummery
Director
Katie Hurley
