info@akcagric.co.uk | 01380 724 687
Improving Farm Productivity Grant: APPLY NOW
Improving Farm Productivity Grant: APPLY NOW
Post date
January 2024
Further to our previous update about the upcoming Improving Farm Productivity Grant, the application window is now open for both robotic and automated equipment and solar equipment.
Details of this grant scheme can be found here. Improving Farm Productivity grant Round 2: applicant guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
UPDATE: DEFRA have decided to increase the proportion of the costs that the grant will cover, to 50% rather than 40% for robotic and automated equipment. Meaning the grant will cover more of the total project costs, than it did in Round 1.
Payment of costs for solar equipment will remain the same at 25%.
GRANT OVERVIEW
This grant is available to farmers, growers and related contractors as part of the Farming Investment Fund; and pays for capital items required to improve farm and horticulture productivity.
This includes items that improve:
- The use of robotic and automated equipment and systems to support crop and livestock production
- And the installation of solar equipment to increase energy resilience and take up of renewable energy generation on farms
Robotic and automated equipment
- Minimum grant available: £25,000
- Maximum grant available: £500,000
- Covers up to 50% of costs
Solar Equipment
- Minimum grant available: £15,000
- Maximum grant available: £100,000
- Covers up to 25% of costs
You can apply for both grants; however, you cannot exceed the maximum amount of funding which is £500,000 (in total for both applications together).
Steps to Applying for the Grant
- Use the online eligibility checker to understand whether your project meets the funding priorities. This takes approximately 20 minutes and will start by asking which route you want to take – whether that be either:
- Robotic and automated equipment or
- Solar equipment
After which you will be asked what type of equipment you wish to fund. Subject to your project being deemed eligible on the eligibility checker, you will then be invited to make a full application to the grant. This is a more detailed application including full costings, quotes from suppliers etc
DEADLINE for using the checker: 21st March 2024 at midnight.
- Once you have been invited to make a full application, you will have until 30th June 2025 to complete this. Depending on the nature of the project you are planning, you may need to secure planning permission.
If you would like some assistance with the above, please feel free to contact us on 01380 724687, or email info@akcagric.co.uk and one of our experienced farm consultants will be more than happy to help.
