INSIGHT - Edition Ten - Winter 2021 online - Flipbook - Page 10
LONG AWAITED
FARMING INVESTMENT
FUND LAUNCHES
DEFRA have launched two brand new schemes
for rural businesses in England, the aim being to
support the agriculture sectors self-reliance and
productivity whilst also improving animal health
and welfare and reduced environmental impacts.
The Farming Investment Fund, which sets out to increase
productivity in an environmentally sustainable way,
encompasses two elements based around the Countryside
Productivity Scheme; Farming Equipment and Technology
Fund and Farming Transformation Fund, and is open to
farming and rural business owners based in England who
are involved in the production or processing of agricultural,
horticultural or forestry products.
FARMING EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY FUND (FETF)
The FETF is similar in many ways to its predecessor the
Small Capital Grant Scheme, but the list of eligible items has
been expanded and grant is also open to more businesses,
including contractors.
The aim of the grant is to provide funding for a range of items
which the government believe will improve productivity and
efficiency within the sector, as well as reducing the impact
on the environment.
The deadline for applications is noon on the 7th January and
applications need to be made by the FETF application portal.
All applicants will need to register with rural payments online
prior to making an application. If an agent is completing the
application on their behalf then they need to be given the
correct permissions.
Unlike the previous scheme the grant is being offered as
a fixed amount, rather than a percentage of the standard
cost. For example, if you wish to claim for the 6m direct drill
then you will be paid £25,000. If the drill is more expensive
then you will need to make up the remaining shortfall. The
minimum grant is £2,000 and the maximum grant is £25,000.
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You can claim a maximum of £50,000 if you were to then go
on to make a further claim in a second round of funding.
A very welcome change is that not only are farmers eligible,
but also horticulturalists, forestry owners and contractors.
From the previous scheme there are a couple of lessons learnt
which potential applicants need to be aware of. If successful
the items must be purchased, installed and claimed for,
including submission of all evidence, by 30th September
2022. In the past there has been a shortage of items, which
has meant that farmers were unable to take delivery and
so could not claim the grant. It is recommended that items
are ordered as soon as possible after confirmation that they
have been successful. The items must be new and cannot be
second hand or ex-demo. Finally, the items must match the
specification contained within the guidance.
There are a large number of items available under various
categories including resource management, precision and
analysis livestock equipment, forestry and horticulture.
Examples of some of the items include:
•
Robotic slurry pusher/ collector
•
UV water treatment system
•
Dribble bar applicator
•
Shallow injection
•
Direct drill
•
Variable rate controller for sprayers and fertiliser
spreaders
•
Pasture plate meter
•
Mobile and fixed cattle and sheep handling