Farming Equipment and Technology Fund: Round 1

Government have just opened a new capital grant scheme for equipment, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF).  The application deadline for a Grant Funding Agreement is midday on 7 January 2022, but the scheme may be closed earlier by the RPA.  We therefore recommend applying as early as possible.

The FETF scheme has similarities to the Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme, whose three rounds were very popular with farmers.  However, there are differences:

• FETF is a UK funded scheme (not EU).

• FETF is open to farmers, horticulturalists, forestry owners and contractors.

• A wider range of grants is available. A minimum of £2,000 and maximum of £25,000 can be claimed.  If there are repeated rounds, there will be an overall maximum of £50,000 for all grant claims under the FETF scheme.

Details of eligible equipment and available grant per item are set out at /guidance/farming-equipment-and-technology-fund-round-1-manual/annex-3-eligible-items-specification-and-grant-amount

and

/guidance/farming-equipment-and-technology-fund-round-1-manual/annex-4-eligible-items-by-category

Eligible equipment includes some types of:

• Livestock handling and weighing systems

• Rainwater harvesting and slurry equipment

• Heat detection and calving detection systems

• Milk cooling systems and other high tech milking machine enhancements

• Electric fencing

• Camera systems

• Arable GPS and measurement systems

• Direct drilling equipment

• Forestry machinery, including trailers, winches and shears

The FETF scheme aims to encourage investment in new farming technology and equipment to increase production, efficiency and welfare standards, and to reduce environmental impact.

Interested businesses should urgently check Government’s guidance at /guidance/farming-equipment-and-technology-fund-round-1-manual and aim to apply well ahead of the 7 January deadline.