A scheme to improve farm productivity worth £25 million is now open to farmers and growers who want to invest in cutting edge robotics and technology to boost food production.
Grants ranging between £35,000 and £500,000 are available to applicants in this latest instalment of the Farming Investment Fund, which opened in November to increase productivity on farms.
The Farming Investment Fund is part of the Government’s Agricultural Transition Plan and is the biggest change to farming in more than 50 years. The scheme will reward farmers and landowners for actions that benefit the environment, such as supporting sustainable food production alongside vital nature recovery and working towards net zero.
Farmers and growers can apply for the Improving Farm Productivity grant if their project is in England and if the estimated costs associated with the project are more than £87,500.
If farmers and growers meet the criteria, the grant they receive could pay up to 40 per cent of the costs of robotic horticulture arable equipment, such as weeders or harvesters.
The key aim of the scheme is to reduce environmental impacts, so robotic equipment that uses electric or renewable energy sources will be prioritised over fossil-fuel-powered equipment. Biofuels are considered renewable energy under this scheme.
Farmers can also 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.
The Improving Farm Productivity grant will close on 16 March 2022.
For more information or advice on related matters, please contact our experts at Smailes Goldie today.
