The PM鈥檚 announcement is expected to total 拢427m, including funding for technology and productivity schemes.
This funding forms part of the 拢2.4 billion budget that has been promised by the current government.
Of course, we do not know when this government鈥檚 term will come to an end, other than it will need to end by the maximum term of the current parliament.
What鈥檚 on offer for 2024?
There are two broad forms of grants through the Farming Investment Fund, which have a focus of improving productivity, resilience and also delivering improved environment and animal health and welfare.
- Large grants 鈥� with grant contributions ranging from 拢15,000 / 拢25,000 and up to 拢500,000 depending on the theme.
- Small grants 鈥� with grant contributions ranging from 拢1,000 to 拢50,000 depending on the theme via the FETF (Farming Equipment and Technology Fund).
In terms of the funding opportunities which should appear this year, we've provided a breakdown of what was announced at NFU Conference. There are links set out below for either current 2024 grant opportunities or referring back to earlier rounds, to give you a flavour of what could become available later this year.
Watch out for developments on 皇家华人 as each round becomes available. 皇家华人has and will continue to work with Defra on these opportunities:
拢116m 鈥� large and small grants 鈥� Slurry Infrastructure Grant
The Slurry Infrastructure Grant is used to replace, build additional, expand or cover existing slurry stores to reach the grant storage requirements.
This covers an increased grant offer for 2024 as well as 拢10.5 million budget made available via the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2024 offer.
拢91尘 鈥� large and small grants 鈥� Animal Health and Welfare
This funding is to support farmers with the costs of items designed to improve the health and welfare of livestock.
This covers the current budget of 拢10 million for Calf Housing of AH&W (Animal Health and Welfare), and forthcoming other large grants for laying hens for AH&W and adult cattle for AH&W due to launch in 2024.
This budget also includes the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2024 AH&W theme offer.
拢50m 鈥� Improving Farming Productivity Fund
This has increased from the original budget of 拢30 million.聽
The funding is for robotics and automation, and rooftop solar to build on-farm energy security.
The increase from 拢30 million (拢15 million for automation and robotics and 拢15 million for rooftop solar) to 拢50 million is expected to be split across 拢25 million for automation and robotics and 拢25 million for rooftop solar.
The deadline for initial applications is 21 March.
The deadline for full applications after the RPA has assessed the current initial applications is expected to mid-2025.聽
拢15m 鈥� large grants 鈥� Adding Value Grant
The Adding Value Grant is for farmers who want to expand their farm operations into processing, packing, and retailing.
Currently Defra is considering the level of demand for round 1, but it is hopeful there will be a further round to follow.
拢15m 鈥� large grants 鈥� Water Management Grants
The Water Management Grants are for projects such as on-farm reservoirs and works to improve irrigation.
This funding is for a round 3, with an increase from the 拢10 million for rounds 1 and 2.聽
拢70m 鈥� small grants 鈥� Farming Equipment & Technology Fund
The FETF (Farming Equipment and Technology Fund) supports farmers with the costs of eligible items to build the resilience of the sector and boost our food security.
This amount is for the 2024 productivity theme and compliments the slurry and animal health and welfare grant theme.
On 20 February the RPA released the details of the FETF 2024 offer.
SFI management payment doubled
The Prime Minister also said the government would be doubling the management payment for SFI to 拢2000 (i.e. 拢40/ha for 50/ha) for applications made by March 2025.
This will be a one year payment boost and will apply to existing SFI agreements.
As SFI and CS applications are combined this summer, new CS applicants may attract the management payment.
Applications for the 2024 offer will start this July. We know it will be a controlled roll out, like last year. We expect handbooks to be published before July.
