Farmers and growers can now apply for an Improving Farm Productivity grant with applications closing on 21 March 2024.
The grant is part of the Farming Investment Fund, and is open to farmers, growers and related contractors. It will pay for capital items to improve farm and horticulture productivity through:
- the use of robotic and automated equipment and systems to aid crop and livestock production
- the installation of solar equipment to increase both energy resilience and the take-up of renewable energy generation on farms
For robotic and automated equipment, the minimum grant available is £25,000 and the maximum grant available is £500,000. The grant will now cover up to 50% of the cost.
For solar equipment, the minimum grant available is £15,000 and the maximum grant available is £100,000. The grant will cover up to 25% of the cost. This will cover 50% of the costs of robotic and automated equipment (paying out £25,000 - £500,000), and 25% of solar equipment (paying out £15,000-£100,000).
Richard Fuller MP commented:
I am pleased DEFRA is making this funding available for robotic, automatic, and solar equipment, increasing energy resilience and take-up of renewable energy generation on farms
For full details and eligibility criteria, please visit this government page.