The Improving Farming Productivity Grant 2024 offers you substantial funding to transform your agricultural operations in England. You can receive up to £500,000 in matched funding, with 50% coverage for robotic equipment and 25% for solar installations. If you're a registered farmer, horticulturist, or contractor, you'll need to demonstrate clear equipment needs and guarantee your applications meet specific requirements, including landlord permission for tenant farmers. The grant supports pre-harvest activities, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable farming practices, aiming to enhance productivity while reducing environmental impact. Further exploration of the program's details will reveal additional opportunities for your farming operation.
Purpose and Benefits
The Improving Farming Productivity Grant sets out to transform agricultural and horticultural operations through strategic funding of capital investments. You'll find this grant focuses on enhancing productivity while reducing environmental impact, supporting your farm's shift to more efficient and sustainable practices. The program specifically targets improvements in primary production through automation, robotics, and technical innovation, helping you address labor shortages and optimize both livestock and field operations. Tenant farmers must obtain their landlord's permission before proceeding with grant applications.
When you apply for this grant, you'll have access to funding for cutting-edge technologies that can revolutionize your farming practices. The benefits include support for robotic harvesting and weeding systems, automated milking equipment, and advanced ventilation controls. You'll also receive funding for equipment that prioritizes renewable energy sources, including solar PV systems, which will help reduce your farm's carbon footprint. The grant's financial structure is particularly advantageous, offering up to 50% coverage for robotic equipment and 25% for solar installations, with minimum grants starting at £25,000 and £15,000 respectively. These investments will help you modernize your operations while contributing to the broader goal of achieving net zero emissions.
Who Can Apply
If you're a farmer, horticulturist, or contractor with a registered business address in England, you'll find yourself eligible to apply for the 2024 Farming Productivity Grant. You'll need to demonstrate clear requirements for the equipment and technologies you're seeking funding for, while ensuring your project aligns with the grant's priorities for improving productivity and environmental impact. If you're a tenant farmer, you'll need to secure necessary permissions from your landlord, or have them underwrite the agreement before proceeding with your application. With funding of up to £500,000 available, this grant provides substantial support for transformative agricultural investments.
Eligibility Requirements for Farmers
Farmers and horticulturalists throughout England can now apply for the 2024 Improving Farming Productivity Grant, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. You'll need to demonstrate that you're actively engaged in agricultural or horticultural activities and have a registered business address in England. If you're a tenant, you must have a tenancy agreement that extends at least five years beyond the project's completion date. Projects can receive between $75,000 and $350,000 in funding support.
Your eligibility also depends on certain operational requirements. You'll need to guarantee that any assets purchased through the grant remain within England's borders, and mobile assets must be stored in England when not in use. If you're a tenant, you'll need to secure necessary permissions from your landlord, who may optionally underwrite the agreements. Even with less than five years remaining on your tenancy, you can still apply if your landlord agrees to continue supporting the project should your tenancy end. However, you won't be eligible if you're a public organization, local authority, forestry business, or a member of a Producer Organisation already receiving funding for the same project through the Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme.
Contractor Location and Registration
In addition to farmers and horticulturalists, agricultural contractors can now apply for the 2024 Improving Farming Productivity Grant. To be eligible, you'll need to have your business registered with a valid address in England, and your operations must specifically relate to the farming or horticultural sector.
If you're a contractor looking to apply, you'll need to meet strict geographical requirements. Any equipment or technology you purchase with the grant must remain within England's borders, and if you're investing in mobile assets, you'll need to store them in England when they're not in use. You can apply for funding toward robotic and automated equipment to enhance productivity, but solar equipment isn't eligible under this scheme. Grant amounts range from £1,000 to £50,000 for productivity equipment purchases.
Your application will undergo the same eligibility checks as farmers and horticulturists, and you'll need to provide detailed registration information during the application process. When submitting your full application, you must include thorough costings and supplier quotes. Remember, your project must align with the grant's funding priorities and demonstrate how it will contribute to improving agricultural or horticultural productivity in England.
Tenant and Landlord Rules
Tenancy arrangements under the 2024 grant have specific rules for both tenants and landlords. You'll be eligible to apply as a tenant if you expect your tenancy to continue, and you'll need to obtain any necessary permissions from your landlord. For tenancies with less than five years remaining, you can sign the agreement independently, though landlord underwriting remains an option. Applications must be submitted by 31 July 2025 for consideration.
Landlord underwriting, while optional, provides significant assurances for project continuity. If you're a landlord who agrees to underwrite, you'll be responsible for making sure the project continues if the tenancy ends, either by taking it over yourself or passing it to a new tenant. The RPA may request underwriting when you submit your full application.
The grant funding agreement will outline all responsibilities and conditions. You'll need to make certain all necessary permissions and agreements are in place before submitting your application, as the RPA will verify these during the process. If you're operating under a tenancy agreement, it's vital to establish clear terms with your landlord regarding project responsibilities, especially concerning what happens if the tenancy ends during the project period.
Equipment and Technology Coverage
You'll find two main technology categories in the 2024 grant scheme, with robotic equipment offering coverage up to 50% of costs between £25,000 and £500,000 for both pre-harvest activities and livestock production systems. Solar technology grants provide smaller but significant support, covering 25% of costs from £15,000 to £100,000, including essential components like panels, batteries, and grid connections. The grant values reflect the government's strategic focus on modernizing farming operations, with higher funding allocated to automation while still maintaining substantial support for renewable energy adoption. Farm businesses should note that total maximum grants cannot exceed £500,000 for combined applications across both categories.
Robotic Equipment Categories
Robotic and automated equipment eligible for the grant falls into several distinct categories focused on pre-harvest activities. You'll need to ascertain that your chosen equipment appears on the prescribed list of eligible technologies, which encompasses systems designed to enhance both farm productivity and environmental performance. The grant coverage of 50 percent for robotic equipment makes automation more accessible for farmers.
When you're selecting equipment, you'll find that the grant covers automated systems for both crop and livestock production, with funding available for technologies that streamline pre-harvest operations. You can't use the grant for any post-harvest processing equipment, so you'll need to focus on machinery that assists with growing and production phases. The grant's coverage extends to various automated solutions that improve efficiency in your farming operations, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
To qualify for funding, your equipment must align with the program's objectives of advancing farm productivity through automation. You'll need to demonstrate how your chosen technology fits within the prescribed categories and contributes to your farm's operational efficiency. Remember that you can combine different types of eligible equipment in your application, as long as you stay within the £500,000 maximum grant limit.
Solar Technology Requirements
Beyond automated farming equipment, the grant extends to solar technology investments that can transform your farm's energy capabilities. You'll find extensive coverage for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, which includes not only the panels themselves but also essential components like batteries, inverters, and utility meters. The funding also supports installation costs and necessary electrical grid connections, along with power diverters to optimize your system's efficiency. DEFRA recently increased the grant coverage for robotic equipment to 50%, showing their commitment to modernizing farm operations.
To access this funding, you'll need to meet specific financial thresholds, with grants ranging from £15,000 to £100,000 for solar equipment. The program will cover 25% of your eligible solar technology costs, which can be combined with other equipment funding up to a total grant limit of £500,000. You must be a farmer or grower based in England to qualify, though contractors aren't eligible for the solar portion of the grant. Before proceeding with your full application, you'll need to complete the online eligibility checker by March 21, 2024, ensuring your project aligns with the program's goals of enhancing farm productivity through renewable energy generation.
Grant Value Distribution
The grant program offers substantial financial support with coverage rates that vary by equipment type. For robotic and automated equipment projects, you'll receive funding for 50% of your total eligible costs, which represents an increase from the previous 40% coverage rate in earlier rounds. The grant amount you can receive ranges from a minimum of £25,000 to a maximum of £500,000.
When you're planning your application, you'll need to carefully consider your total project costs, as the funding cap applies to both robotic and solar equipment applications combined. You can submit applications for both categories, but your total grant funding won't exceed the £500,000 maximum limit. The program specifically targets farmers, growers, and contractors who have registered business addresses in England, supporting investments in equipment and systems that enhance crop and livestock production. While you're calculating your potential funding, remember that the grant won't cover post-harvest processing equipment. If your needs fall outside these parameters, you might want to explore alternative funding sources like the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund.
Grant Funding Amounts
Farmers and contractors can access substantial funding through two main grant categories in 2024. For robotic and automated equipment, you'll be able to secure grants ranging from £25,000 to £500,000, covering up to 50% of your costs. This funding supports various systems designed to enhance crop and livestock production efficiency across agricultural and horticultural sectors.
If you're interested in solar equipment, you can apply for grants between £15,000 and £100,000, which will cover up to 25% of your total expenses. These solar grants specifically target photovoltaic systems for farm power and must be installed on agricultural buildings. You'll need to include installation costs, batteries, inverters, and grid connection expenses in your project budget. Successful projects focus on environmental sustainability in alignment with the government's 2050 net zero emissions goals.
While you can apply for both categories, you'll need to submit separate applications, and your combined funding won't exceed £500,000. It's crucial to understand that you must own any equipment outright before claiming the grant, even if you've used lease or hire purchase arrangements. The funding doesn't cover residential installations, and slurry acidification equipment isn't eligible in Round 2.
Key Application Deadlines
Understanding the funding amounts is just the first step – now you'll need to focus on meeting strict application deadlines. The current deadline for productivity and slurry items is midday April 17, 2024. The online checker, which closed at 11:59pm on March 21, 2024, was your initial opportunity to confirm eligibility and determine if your project aligned with funding priorities. After this deadline, no new applications can be accepted.
If you're invited to proceed, you'll need to submit your full application by 11:59pm on July 31, 2025. This deadline might change, so you'll want to monitor the Defra Farming Blog for updates. Your complete application must be emailed to ftf@rpa.gov.uk with all supporting documentation.
Once the online checker closes, the RPA will review applications and send invitations for the full application stage. If you're successful, you'll receive a grant funding agreement that specifies your project's start date. You can't incur any costs before this date. You'll be allowed to make up to three claims throughout your project's duration, with the final claim representing at least 15% of the total amount.
Steps to Submit
Once you've confirmed your eligibility through the online checker, you'll need to follow a structured process to submit your application. You'll start by thoroughly reviewing the Improving Farm Productivity grant guidance available on GOV.UK, which outlines specific requirements and criteria for your submission.
The next important step involves completing the full application form with detailed information about your project. You'll need to gather all supporting documentation, including detailed costings and quotes from your chosen suppliers. These documents form an essential part of your application package and must accurately reflect your project's scope and financial requirements.
To complete your submission, you'll need to email your application and all supporting materials to ftf@rpa.gov.uk before the deadline of 11:59 PM on July 31, 2025. If your application is successful, you'll receive a grant funding agreement from the Rural Payments Agency. The funding will cover up to 50% of costs for robotic and automated equipment, or 25% for solar equipment, with a maximum combined grant amount of £500,000.
Environmental Impact Goals
The Improving Farm Productivity Grant puts environmental sustainability at its core through strategic funding of technology and equipment. You'll find that the program targets multiple environmental objectives, particularly through its support of renewable energy adoption and resource-efficient farming practices.
When you implement the grant's initiatives, you're contributing to significant emission reductions through the adoption of automated and robotic equipment. The program's emphasis on solar energy installations helps you enhance your farm's energy resilience while reducing dependence on non-renewable sources. You'll receive up to 25% of the costs for solar equipment, including panels, batteries, inverters, and necessary grid connections.
The grant's focus on resource efficiency means you can access funding for technologies that optimize your farm's input usage and minimize waste. Through these investments, you're able to improve your operational efficiency while reducing your environmental footprint. Additionally, the program's support for sustainable farming practices and clean energy adoption contributes to pollution reduction, particularly with regard to air quality improvements and decreased fossil fuel reliance.
Solar Power Requirements
For solar power funding under the grant, you'll need to apply for a minimum of £15,000 and can receive up to £100,000 in support, covering 25% of your eligible equipment costs. The grant encompasses extensive solar infrastructure, including the panels themselves, installation services, batteries, inverters, utility meters, electrical grid connections, and power diverters.
You must be a farmer, grower, or horticultural business based in England to qualify for solar equipment funding, though contractors aren't eligible for solar grants specifically. Your application will need to start with the online eligibility checker, which closed on March 21, 2024. If you've been invited to proceed, you'll have until July 31, 2025, to submit your full application to the Rural Payments Agency, complete with detailed costings and supplier quotes.
It's important to note that while you can combine solar equipment grants with robotic equipment funding, your total grant amount can't exceed £500,000. Once approved, you'll receive a grant funding agreement outlining the terms of your support, helping you enhance your farm's energy resilience through renewable power generation.
