Defra grants for slurry and productivity equipment increased
Extra government funding for grants to help farmers invest in new equipment and technology, supporting sustainable food production and emissions reductions, have been announced today (8 June).
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) revealed that £31 million was being made available in the latest round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF), up from the initial £17 million fund on offer.
Successful applicants can claim for grants under the Productivity and Slurry budget to help cover the costs of over 90 pieces of equipment, from rainwater harvesting tanks to reduce water scarcity in the summer; to equipment to minimise grass contamination and ammonia emissions when spreading slurry.
The Fund provides financial support to farm businesses to invest in the equipment and technology to improve sustainable production across agriculture, horticulture and forestry.
Productivity and Slurry grants will specifically support the procurement of equipment and technology that will help farmers use fewer inputs, reduce emissions and cut waste.
Defra Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: "The tremendous interest shown in the FETF 2023 Productivity and Slurry underscores the determination of our farmers to drive ever more productive and sustainable farming practices to keep food on our plates whilst protecting our important landscapes and habitats.
"By empowering farms to invest cash in new kit, we are ensuring our farmers, growers and foresters have the equipment they need to embrace innovation, protect the environment, and contribute to a thriving and sustainable agricultural sector."
Go to the GOV.UK website for full details.
Authors
Oli Hill
As Head of Communications, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media. A qualified multimedia journalist, he previously spent six years working at Farmers Weekly magazine as a Senior Reporter on the arable team, and latterly as Community Editor. More recently he was Communications Manager at Red Tractor.
