Rural Grants Update
We are often asked about the availability of grants to support farm investment. The following is a summary of the current situation, as it is understood to be.
Frustratingly many of the grant schemes are not presently open for new applications, as noted below. It is hoped that Defra will provide an update on these grant schemes in January, when they have promised to provide an update on ELMS.
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF)
The grant is a contribution towards the cost of buying new technology or equipment from an approved list. The list of approved items and associated grant contributions include:
- In row weeders 1.8 m – £24,139
- Mobile Vertical Frost Fans for vineyards and horticulture – £4,776
- Rainwater harvesting minimum tank size 5000 litres – £939
- Direct Drill 6 m – £25,000
- Yield Monitoring – £1,600
- Mobile cattle handling systems £4,456
The full list of funded items can be found here >
This grant scheme is not presently open for new applications but is expected to open again in ‘early 2023’.
Farming Transformation Fund (FTF)
This fund provides grants towards large capital items to help businesses improve productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. There are four grants themes:
- Slurry Infrastructure
Available to pig, beef and dairy farmers whose farming systems produce slurry. It helps replace, build new or expand existing slurry stores to provide 6 months’ storage. You can apply for a grant between £25,000 and £250,000.
Open for applications until 31st January. - Adding Value
Available for growers or producers to add value to eligible agricultural products after they have been harvested or reared. Grants of £25,000 to £300,000.
Presently closed for new applications. - Improving Farm Productivity
For capital items to improve farm and horticulture productivity through the use of robotic or autonomous equipment and systems. Grants of £35,000 and £500,000.
Presently closed for new applications. - Water Management
For capital items to improve farm productivity through more efficient use of water for irrigation, and to secure water supplies for crop irrigation by the construction of onfarm reservoirs and the adoption of best practice irrigation application equipment. Grants of £35,000 and £500,000.
Presently closed for new applications.
Farming Futures Research and Development Fund (FFRDF)
The DEFRA minister appointed by Liz Truss stated that Round 3 of the Farming Futures Research and Development Fund (FFRDF) would ‘shortly’ be open for applications. The fund is available for agriculture and horticulture projects which will ‘boost productivity and sustainable farming practices through the development of automation and robotic technologies on farm’. It is particularly aimed at accelerating the deployment and uptake of innovation for robotics and automation that is almost at commercial stage.
This minister obviously did not last very long but the expectation is that the fund will open in the New Year, albeit the detail has not been announced.
In addition to the RPA, there are grants available through KCC and Medway County Council. They are often targeted at R&D, as opposed to grants for capital items.
If you require any assistance with an application or have a project in mind, please contact a member of the team.
As soon as the grant schemes are re-opened, L&F will provide updates through our Rural Services mailing list. Make sure you are on the list!
