Farmers and landowners have until 12 January to check their eligibility for the Government’s Water Management Grant (part of the wider Farming Transformation Fund).
The Water Management Grant, which is operated by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), aims to use water for irrigation more efficiently, and secure water supplies for crops.
The RPA is particularly interested in funding projects that improve productivity, the environment and water sustainability. The body will assess value for money plus funding priorities when looking at applications.
Farmers and landowners can apply for the grant if based in England and either grow crops for the food industry or operate a forestry nursery or one that grows ornamentals. In addition, applicants must own the land the project will be on or have a lease of at least five years and, the project costs must be more than £87,500.
The grant can pay up to 40 per cent of the costs for various water efficiency projects, such as constructing water storage reservoirs or buying equipment, including irrigation pumps, controls or underground water distribution systems.
Farmers and landowners must use the Government checker to check their projects are eligible for a grant. Through this, they give information about their business and the costs of the proposed project.
The RPA will get back to applicants once they have submitted their details into the checker and state whether they are eligible to go through to the full application stage.
For more information or advice on related matters, please contact our experts at Smailes Goldie today.
