You can now apply for an Improving Farm Productivity grant which 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). You have until 21 March 2024 to apply.
Part of the Farming Investment Fund, the Improving Farm Productivity grant 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.
You can apply for both automated and robotic equipment and solar equipment, however your maximum grant amount still cannot exceed £500,000 in total for both applications together.
The grant is open to horticultural and farm businesses. Contractors from those sectors are eligible to apply for grants towards the purchase of robotic and automated equipment, but not solar equipment.
Check out the post on the Defra Farming Blog for information on who is eligible and the process to apply.
