Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2023 will accept applications from 18 September.
Farmers will be invited to register their interest by the Rural Payments Agency.
The dates provide certainty and pre-registration will ensure farmers are supported to have all necessary information in place, including online maps and land use / cover details, so they are ready for when the scheme starts to accept applications from 18 September.
The SFI pays farmers for taking actions that support food production, farm productivity and resilience, whilst protecting and enhancing environment.
There are 23 actions on offer under the new and improved 2023 scheme, including on soil health, moorland, hedgerows, integrated pest management, farmland wildlife, buffer strips, and low input grassland.
Secretary of State for Food and Farming Thérèse Coffey said:
The Sustainable Farming Incentive is important for sustainability – for production and profitability. With opening up the options, from mid September for everyone, there is likely to be an opportunity for every eligible farmer to join SFI.
Full details of the SFI 2023 were published in June this year in a detailed handbook so that farmers can plan ahead for autumn planting and what they will apply for.
Unlike existing and previous schemes where farmers have had to wait until the end of the first year of their agreement to receive any payment, payments under SFI 2023 will be paid quarterly to support farmers’ cashflow and activities required in the scheme.
See the full Defra press release here.
