Grants for robotic and automatic machinery and the use of solar equipment

Round two of The Improving Farm Productivity grant is about to open for applications and I think this could be a popular one for our clients.

Scheme overview

Below I have given an overview of the grant that 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

Grant open for applications from	Farmer or horticulturalist in England. Both land owning and tenant farmers can apply. The project must be on land you own or farm as a tenant. Contractors can also apply (but for solar PV funding) if they have a registered business address in England.
Grants for robotic and automated equipment	Grants from £25,000 to £500,000. The grant will cover up to 40% of the cost of eligible items
For solar equipment	Grants from £15,000 to £100,000. The grant will cover up to 25% of the cost of eligible items
For both automated and robotic equipment and solar equipment	Maximum grant amount cannot exceed £500,000 in total for both applications together
Priority will be given to projects which	· improve productivity · improve the environment · introduce innovation · introduce technology to address labour shortage (farm productivity projects)
Fossil fuel power	Eligible Farm Productivity equipment using an electric or renewable energy source will be prioritised over fossil fuel (for example diesel) powered equipment.

Application process

The first step to apply will be an online checker, which is expected to open in January and run until March. Defra will use this to assess your eligibility and likelihood of success and this will, in turn, determine whether you are invited to submit a full application.

More details

Full guidance for round two of The Improving Farm Productivity grant can be found here. This includes more details including:

Eligible and ineligible costs
Information you will need to provide for eligibility checks and then application (if invited to apply)
Criteria against which applications will be assessed, which include financial viability

There are also details on how to contact the farming transformation fund (FTF) team if you’re not sure if you are eligible to apply, or cannot access the online checker. These include:

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 0200 301 and follow options for the Farming Transformation Fund.

How can we help you?

As indicated at the top of this piece I anticipate quite a bit of interest in this grant scheme. I would suggest that interested parties read the guidance and then prepare to use the online checker in January 2024. If at this stage, or if invited to apply, you wish to chat any aspects of the application through with us please do not hesitate to contact me or your usual point of contact at PKF Francis Clark.