This is the second time Defra have offered this grant, the first time was in January 2022.
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.
How to apply
As was the case in the first round, there is a 2-step application process for this round.
Start by reading the Improving Farm Productivity grant guidance (Round 2) on GOV.UK.
1. Online checker
The process starts with an online eligibility checker. You'll find it in the 'How to apply' section of the guidance.
The checker is designed to determine your eligibility and whether your project fits the funding priorities. It has two separate journeys: one for robotic and automated equipment and another for solar equipment.
You will be asked various questions on the type of equipment you wish to fund, whether it be robotic or automated, or solar equipment.
It will take roughly 20 minutes to complete and you will learn the outcome instantly. Depending on the outcome of the checker, you will be invited to make a full application.
The checker is now live, and it will remain open for 8 weeks.
This means the deadline to use the checker is 21 March at 23:59.
2. Full application
Those invited to make a full application have until 30 June 2025 to do so.
Before you submit your full application, depending on the nature of your project, you may need to secure planning permission.
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