In a few weeks’ time, you will once again have the opportunity to apply for an Improving Farm Productivity grant. To help you prepare, we’ve published guidance on GOV.UK.
In this post, I’ll share an overview of the grant, the changes we've made in this round and a link to the guidance.
Robotic and automatic machinery and the use of solar equipment
The Improving Farm Productivity grant is open to farmers and horticultural businesses. 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 energy resilience and the take-up of renewable energy generation on farm
Contractors from those sectors are eligible to apply for grants towards the purchase of robotic and automated equipment, but not solar equipment.
For robotic and automated equipment, we are reducing the minimum grant available to £25,000 and the maximum grant available remains at £500,000. The grant will cover up to 40% of the cost of eligible items.
For solar equipment, the minimum grant available is £15,000, with the maximum grant being £100,000. The grant will cover up to 25% of the cost of eligible items.
You can apply for both automated and robotic equipment and solar equipment, however your maximum grant amount cannot exceed £500,000 in total for both applications together.
The grant is part of the Farming Investment Fund.
What’s new for Round 2
Since launching Round 1, we’ve gathered valuable feedback on how we can improve the grant.
Previously, the fund offered grants for robotic autonomous systems and slurry acidification equipment.
We are taking on board feedback received from stakeholders by decreasing the minimum grant amount to £25,000 and broadening the scope of the offer to fund both robotic and automated innovative equipment to aid crop and livestock production.
By doing this, we now hope to benefit a broader range of agricultural and horticultural applications in Round 2.
Round 1 of the grant included slurry acidification equipment, however this has now been removed from Round 2.
Following the announcements made at the Farm to Fork conference held at No.10 in May and on Back British Farming Day in September, we are also pleased to introduce a new solar equipment offer to the fund.
Applying for a grant
The first step to apply will be an online checker, which is expected to open in January and run until March. This will assess your eligibility and likelihood of success and will, in turn, determine whether you are invited to submit a full application.
We’ll blog again when it’s time to apply.
If you have any questions about the grant after reading the guidance, leave a comment below.
83 comments
Comment by Emma Powlett posted on
Would an automated wrapper be eligible for a horticultural producer? Improve efficiency - productivity etc etc?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Emma,
Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, automated wrappers and other packing equipment are on the list of ineligible equipment. They would, however, be in scope of the Adding Value grant instead. Here's the link to learn more: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adding-value-grant-for-farmers-to-improve-crops-or-livestock
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by andrew cade posted on
we are currently in the process of completing a solar project would this be eligible for grant funding.
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for getting in touch. Unfortunately, if work on the project has already started, it would not be eligible for grant funding.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Emma Powlett posted on
Thanks Lizzie
Any idea when adding value will next be open? I am guessing late '24 at earliest which is an awfully long time away in terms of business development and growth?
Could you not open these schemes and have quarterly windows ?
Emma
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Emma,
Unfortunately we can't provide any details of when a second round of the Adding Value grant will be available, but whenever guidance for a new grant is published or available, we'll share it here on the blog.
For Farming Investment Fund grants, we allow more time between rounds as these larger projects take longer for applicants to get all the supporting information together the necessary quotes for the project items and planning permission where required at the Full Application stage, etc). This means that applications can therefore take some time to be received, reviewed and completed (can be at least 6 months and up to two years for some projects), and therefore it would not be practical to hold multiple rounds of schemes within a year.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Martyn Bragg posted on
Hi
Does the grant for solar equipment include battery storage?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Martyn,
Yes, it does.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Stefan Arsene posted on
Hello,
Will a bio chopper compact shredder qualify for the grant under the automation side?
https://royalbrinkman.com/mechanical-equipment/crop-rotation-machines/bio-chopper-compact-ti530-crop-shredder-941900050
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hello,
If the item you are looking at is not on the list of eligible equipment you can put it through the online eligibility checker once it is open as 'other robotic or automatic equipment'.
Please include the make and model of the equipment as requested in the checker to help RPA when reviewing your online checker application.
However, ensure that you read the guidance as automatic equipment must meet at least two of the tests for shown in the guidance. RPA will review any items applied for through the checker after it closes and may request further information when reviewing the eligibility of the item.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Ed Lennon posted on
Hello,
Can you confirm if any Agriculture sector is eligable for the Solar grant or do they need to be a dairy farm for example?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Ed,
Yes, I can! Farmers from any sector can apply.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Lower Chatley Farm posted on
Izzie
We are building lodges on farmland in Somerset and are considering making them greener with solar energy. Does the agricultural grant allow for farmers to use this grant? We are trying to diversify like lots of farmers .
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Gary,
Unfortunately the grant is to improve the productivity of the farming business, the guidance states 'An eligible solar PV system should be mainly for farm power and installed on farm buildings, not on a residential property'. Where the farming business has some income from diversification some of the power can be used for those diversifications. You can read this requirements and definitions here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-equipment-definitions-and-requirements#solar-photovoltaic-pv-systems
Hope that helps,
Izzie
Comment by Ben posted on
Hi,
So if the minimum grant for a solar system is £15,000 then the project must cost at least £60,000 to qualify?
That would equate to a massive system for an average farm (most who won't have grid capacity to export much of that power).
If the minimum grant was less wouldn’t it create many more opportunities for 'average' farmers rather than targeting a few very big electricity consuming ones?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Yes that is correct. We have worked closely with stakeholders whilst developing the solar offer of the grant to ensure that small solar projects would be eligible for the grant. The £60,000 project cost minimum would include costs for installation costs, the solar panels themselves, in addition to solar batteries, inverters, utility meters, electrical grid connections and power diverters which would all increase the cost of projects.
We will be reviewing the performance of this scheme and will take any feedback and findings into consideration when planning any future rounds.
Many thanks,
Izzie
Comment by M p Loughran posted on
Is this grant available in Northern Ireland
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hello there,
Unfortunately not. You can only apply for a grant if you’re a farmer or horticulturalist in England. Contractors can also apply if they have a registered business address in England.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Joseph posted on
Hello,
what security of tenure will the solar grants require?
TIA
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hello Joseph,
Both land owning and tenant farmers can apply for a grant. The project must be on land you own or farm as a tenant.
If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to obtain any necessary permissions from your landlord. If you are on a tenancy of less than 5 years which you expect to continue, you can sign a grant funding agreement on your own.
Or you can ask your landlord to underwrite your agreement. This means that if your tenancy ends, your landlord agrees to take over the project, for example by completing the conditions themselves or passing the agreement on to a new tenant. This approach is optional and RPA will only ask for confirmation when you submit a full application.
Here's a link to the relevant part of the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance/about-the-improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-who-can-apply-and-what-the-grant-can-pay-for#who-can-apply
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Alan Beresford posted on
Izzy,
Advanced ventilation control units refers to:
"The funding is to support the installation of, or updating of ventilation systems in existing buildings which should include:
control units, heat exchangers, and air scrubbers "
Does this mean that all projects have to include air scrubbers or is this an option?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Alan ,
Yes – the kit purchase will need to include air scrubbers, its not an option.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Ala Beresford posted on
Izzy
What is the specification/description of the type of scrubber required. There are many options from simple spray systems through to acid scrubbers which are high capital items and can have significant energy use. Any guidance on this?
Comment by The Team posted on
Hello,
The specifications are here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-equipment-definitions-and-requirements
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Nick posted on
Hello
When does the online eligibility checker open?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Nick,
Very soon! We'll publish a post as soon as the checker opens. If you subscribe to the blog, you'll get an email notification.
https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/subscribe/
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Will Overvoorde posted on
Hi -do you have an idea when in January we will be able to begin the application process?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Will,
Thanks for your interest in the grant. Very soon! Once the checker opens, we'll publish a post to notify people. If you subscribe to the blog, you'll get a notification: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/subscribe/
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by CHRIS KNELLER posted on
I would like to invest in robotic milking but the lead time for these machines is 3+ months.
If I put a deposit down on a robot to get them into production so I could be using them in say May/June can I claim a grant on these as we have been waiting for the application window to be open for months.
Thanks
Chris
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Chris,
In order to claim a grant under this fund, you must first submit an initial application via the online checker.
RPA will then review all applications received. If successful, you would then be invited by the RPA to make a full application.
After reviewing your full application, RPA will send you a grant funding agreement (GFA) if you are successful in being offered a grant. You must accept the GFA and reach the project start date before you:
- start work
- commit to any costs (including paying deposits)
- enter into any legal contracts
- place an order
Any costs you incur before this, are at your own risk and may make your whole project ineligible.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by David Matthews posted on
Is the solar grant available in Wales.
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi David,
You can only apply for a grant if you’re a farmer or horticulturalist in England, unfortunately. Contractors can also apply if they have a registered business address in England.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Alistair Munro posted on
Does rhe grant extend to small wind turbines for agricultural applications. Is the grant available in all of UK including Scotland and N.Ireland.
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Alistair,
The grant is only available in England. The grant will solely fund solar renewable energy systems. Following the round of this fund we can review and reconsider our offer for any future rounds.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Goodwin posted on
Hi Izzie,
Can i check when in Jan we can expect checker stage to open for solar panels?
Where is best place to keep checking for updates?
Thanks
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hello,
Imminently! The best thing to do is to subscribe to this blog. As soon as we publish a post, you'll receive a notification by email. When it's time to apply for a grant or when a checker opens, we'll always publish a post and we usually write a reminder post before a checker/fund closes.
https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/subscribe/
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Richard Swatton posted on
Hi There,
Is it possible to use this grant to contribute to a PPA?
So if a power purchase fund wants to fund a solar array for a farmer, can 25% of that sum come from this grant and the balance from the PPA funders.
A reply would be appreciated
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Richard,
For solar equipment grants you can apply for a grant if you’re a farmer or horticulturalist in England. The solar PV assets must be owned and on the asset register of the applicant business for the duration of the grant funding agreement (five years after payment of final claim). The grant cannot be used to fund systems not owned by the applicant business.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Alistair Munro posted on
Is the grant available to small wind as well as solar for renewable energy generation.
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Alistair,
Thanks for your comment - as above - the grant will solely fund solar renewable energy systems. Following the round of this fund we can review and reconsider our offer for any future rounds.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by luke price posted on
hi
if you have an existing solar already, would the grant fund to add on a battery storage unit to it
many thanks
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Luke,
Yes, you can apply for battery storage for an existing system.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Tom Charles posted on
The grant mentions that ground mounted solar will be ineligible, but that panels on reservoirs will be eligible. Is this floating solar only, or would panels on the banks of reservoirs, specifically to feed the pumps be eligible?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Tom,
Thanks for your question. Solar systems can only be installed on an irrigation reservoir (including the supporting floating cradle), and cannot be installed on banks of reservoirs. Full details of eligible equipment and situations of installations can be found in the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Mike posted on
Can you confirm if solar thermal equipment, (specifically the high efficient collector panels) is covered by the grant. Im looking at an installation to support hot water demand?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Mike,
High efficient collector panels are not eligible for the grant. However, we are able to offer grants for power diverters which redirect excess solar energy to power storage (for example heat stores). Full details of eligible equipment can be found in the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Neil Wells posted on
Can you apply for the grant if you already have solar and want to install a 2nd system?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Neil,
Yes, you can.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Corey posted on
How long does it take to find out if I am eligible for funding, and if so, how long would it take for the funding to reach my account? Roughly?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hello Corey,
If you are successful at both the online checker stage and full application stage you will be offered a Grant Funding Agreement. At that point you can start work on your project. You can make up to three claims during the delivery of your project. Claims are paid in arrears for work completed on the project. We aim to process claims within 30 working day or receipt of the claim.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Corey Ward posted on
Thank you Izzie, that was very helpful.
I know this might be how long is a piece of string question, but how long roughly do you expect the checker stage and full application stage to take?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
No problem, Corey. The initial online checker stage will remain open until 21 March. After this date, the RPA will decide who to invite to the full application stage. If you are invited, you will have until 30 June 2025 to complete your full application.
These exact dates may be subject to change, but we will continue to provide you with the most up-to-date information on the blog, so do subscribe if you haven't already: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/subscribe/
So it's handy, the guidance is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance'
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Cerys posted on
Hi,
If I was to use this grant, am I then allowed to use the Annual Investment Allowance on top of this?
Thank you,
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Cerys,
We're afraid we're unable to give advice on this. As AIA is tax relief, you should discuss how applying for this grant (or any grant) will impact the tax position of your business with your accountant or business adviser.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Ian Aird posted on
What dates do The Improving Farm Production run from?
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Ian,
As of today, you can apply for an Improving Farm Productivity grant:
https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2024/01/25/apply-for-an-improving-farm-productivity-grant/
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Janet posted on
Hello, if you would like to apply for a solar grant do you have to apply for batteries as part of it, or can you just apply for the panels and install etc.. Many thanks.
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Janet,
Thanks for your question. No, you do not have to apply for batteries as a part of your solar installation, you could apply solely for the installation of panels.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Steven Donaldson posted on
But the eligibility check comes out higher with batteries - why is this?
Comment by David posted on
Hi Izzie,
Regarding the below:
"The initial online checker stage will remain open until 21 March. After this date, the RPA will decide who to invite to the full application stage. If you are invited, you will have until 30 June 2025 to complete your full application."
So, if invited to full application stage and this has been submitted by 30th June 2025, when does the actual solar system need to be installed by for the grant? Or does this mean that the system has to be installed by 30th June 2025?
Thanks,
David
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi David,
Applicants can inform the RPA of their timescales once they reach full application stage. The RPA expect the project to be complete and operation will all claims made within 18 months of the date of the grant funding agreement .
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Mark Gould posted on
Hi,
I see the full application closing date is the 30 June 2025, if I submitted an application on the 22 March 2024 (assuming I was invited to), does this mean I won't hear if I'm successful or not, until after June 2025? Or will earlier submitted applications be aproved/declined before that date?
Many thanks
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Mark,
At the Full Application stage, the RPA will review applications as they are received. They aim to give receipt of a decision to applicants within 60 working days of receiving a complete Full Application.
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Georgie Carlisle posted on
Good afternoon,
We have recently bought and had delivered two frost fans for a our vineyard. We couldn't wait as we desperately need them for April/May frosts this year and cannot risk waiting as it could be a case of losing all our yield if we did. I know in previous comments you state you cannot start or pay for a project before getting an application submitted but some grants do look at retrospective purchases and I wondered if this is something you would do in this scenario?
Many thanks
Georgie
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hi Georgie,
Thanks for getting in touch. Unfortunately, for this particular grant, retrospective funding isn't available.
I know your question was about grant funding - it might be worth taking a look at the grants under the Farming Investment Fund and Farming Innovation Programme too. Available grants are listed on this page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-farmers
In terms of ongoing payments to support vineyards in England, there are a range of actions we will pay growers to take through the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
They include actions to improve soil health, enhance nutrient management and actions for farm wildlife (amongst others). You could even consider IPM2 ‘Flower rich grass margin, blocks or infield strip’ for alleys between vines, using species selected which deliver IPM benefits.
Here's a link to the guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sustainable-farming-incentive-guidance
Here's a link to our main SFI site to learn more about the scheme: https://farming.campaign.gov.uk/
I hope this helps,
Sarah
Comment by Amanda Worthington posted on
Good Morning,
We are a Solar Company do we apply for the grant or do we have to register somewhere?
Comment by The Team posted on
Morning Amanda,
Thanks for getting in touch. Unfortunately this grant is only available to farmers and horticultural businesses so that they can apply for capital grants towards the purchase of equipment, including solar equipment.
Thanks,
The Team
Comment by Ben posted on
Is the £60000 for solar grant including or excluding VAT
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Ben,
Thanks for getting in touch, unfortunately the grant is excluding VAT but you could potentially claim it back. There is information in the guidance about what you will need to make an application and how you claim your grant if you are successful: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance/how-to-apply-for-the-improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2and-claim-payment#stage-2-make-a-full-application
Hope that helps,
The Team
Comment by Matt Keniston posted on
Could poultry farms benefit from this grant if they are looking to improve control systems and upgrade pumps & water treatment?
Thanks
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Matt,
Water treatment and pumps would be ineligible, but the ventilation control units could be - as long as they meet the specification in the guidance.
Here's a link to the guidance so it's handy: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Steven Donaldson posted on
For the eligibility checker do i need to have approvals I need in place already or can they come as part of the main application - I'm thinking DNO approval and upgrade approval and costs.
So if I'm single phase today and need 3phase do i have to have all the boxes ticked when i do the eligibility check or just for the main application.
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Steven,
There is no harm in making those approaches now as long as no money is committed, so if you receive an invite to full application you have a quote and timeline for the infrastructure upgrade if applicable.
Solar energy which is DC current will be converted via the inverter to Single phase AC current for normal use. An inverter is available to change single phase to 3 phase. This is something to talk about to your solar PV provider.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Steven Donaldson posted on
Why does the eligibility check give better chances with batteries rather than just a Solar PV system?
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Steven,
We want to encourage the take-up of solar batteries, so we've taken that into consideration when scoring applications.
Solar batteries can give 24 hour flexibility therefore greater energy resilience on the farm, We want to support the more recent and less adopted technology of battery storage as part of PV system which will be more responsive and beneficial to the productivity of that farm.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Steven Donaldson posted on
How does it work - if my project is £60k do i need to show that i can fund all of this before i get the grant or do i only need to show i can fund £45k of it?
Comment by Izzie Wells posted on
Hi Steven,
If you are invited to submit a full application to the RPA, you will be asked to provide supporting information and documentation which includes evidence of how you will fund your proportion of the project costs. Full details of the information which you will be asked to submit can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance/how-to-apply-for-the-improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2and-claim-payment
Best wishes,
Izzie
Comment by Harriet posted on
Regarding the eligibility question - does your farm have existing solar PV - if you do, but at a different location, presumably the answer to give is still yes?
Thanks
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hi Harriet,
Yes, that's correct!
Best wishes,
Sarah
Comment by Austin Blair posted on
We are considering converting our 123 acre livestock farm in Somerset from National Grid and LPG to solar energy. It will involve installing a 64 panel array and a battery array, but this would not be feasible without some financial support.
Are grants currently available for this please?
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Austin,
The list of eligible items can be found in the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-applicant-guidance/about-the-improving-farm-productivity-grant-round-2-who-can-apply-and-what-the-grant-can-pay-for
The first stage of the application process, the online checker, is now open to make an initial online application. The checker will close for applications at 11:59pm on 21 March 2024.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Steve posted on
I understand the application window is now closed.
Do you know when we will be contacted with offers or rejections to stage one applications?
Steve
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Steve,
We're afraid we can't say exactly when applicants can expect to hear back at the checker stage, but the team is assessing the checker applications now. At the full application stage, the RPA will review applications as they are received. They aim to give receipt of a decision to applicants within 60 working days of receiving the application.
Best wishes,
The Team