Farming Investment Fund – Could You Be Entitled to a Grant?

Applications for grants from the Farming Investment Fund are now open. The Rural Payments Agency has set aside a £27 million fund to provide grants to help farmers in England improve efficiency and deliver environmental benefits. The fund aims to drive farm productivity, improve water management and add value to agricultural produce.

What is the farming investment fund?

The Farming Investment Fund is made up of 2 separate funds:

• Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (for grants between £2,000 and £25,000)
• Farming Transformation Fund (for grants between £35,000 and £500,000)

Farming Equipment and Technology Fund

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund provides grants towards the cost of equipment and technology to improve the productivity of farms in a sustainable way. The equipment and technology must be chosen from an approved list, which aim to:

• Improve agricultural productivity.
• Contribute to improved Animal Health and Welfare.
• Encourage more sustainable pesticide usage.
• Improve air and water quality.
• Reduce GHG emissions with Net Zero targets.
• Reduce unsustainable use of abstracted water.
• Encourage sustainable management of woodlands.

The Round 1 application period is now open and will close on 7 January 2022.

Farming Transformation Fund

The Farming Transformation Fund provides grants towards large capital items to help businesses improve productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. They are:

• Water Management
• Improving Farm Productivity
• Adding Value

Applications for a Water Management grant are now open and will close on 12 January 2022.

Get expert advice 

Application forms can be found on the Gov website.

The application must include honest and accurate financial forecasts alongside the lengthy application, which should demonstrate the impact the investment will have on your business. The Rural Payments Agency will check the numbers thoroughly to ensure that the grant achieves value for taxpayers’ money.

The application is a two-stage process, and it is important to act quickly. Should your project require planning permission, this must be obtained by the end of 2022. The time this takes is often out of the applicants’ control and presents a risk in obtaining grant funding.

Those who are not experienced in the application process are advised to seek expert advice. Grants of these values are rare and highly competitive. A strong application is necessary, and a second pair of eyes from an external consultant will be invaluable.

Here to help

If you would like more information or think you might be eligible for a grant, please contact our expert team of Agricultural Solicitors below.