Farmers and growers in England can apply for up to £500,000 in government funding to invest in cutting edge robotics and technology to improve food production.

Applications are now open for the Improving Farm Productivity grant offering funding from £35,000 to £500,000 that will pay 40% of the costs for capital items that boost productivity such as multi-tier poultry systems.

The Improving Farm Productivity grant is to purchase capital items to improve farm and horticulture productivity and can be robotic or autonomous equipment and systems to aid crop and livestock production or the installation of slurry acidification equipment.

Reducing environmental impact is a key aim of the scheme and projects which increase productivity, improve the environment and introduce innovation will be eligible for funding. Robotic equipment utilising an electric or renewable energy source will be prioritised over fossil fuel powered equipment.

The application is a two-stage process.  The first stage is an eligibility check which is now open until 16 March 2022, where applications are scored before being invited to submit a full application, closing on 14 September 2022.

The Improving Farm Productivity Fund is the latest instalment of the Farming Investment Fund, which opened in November last year and is designed to increase productivity on farms. It’s part of the Government’s Agricultural Transition Plan – the biggest changes to farming in more than 50 years, which will reward farmers and landowners for actions which benefit the environment, supporting sustainable food production alongside vital nature recovery and work towards net zero.

To Check if your project can apply for a grant and further information on the grant click here.