A total of £240 million will be distributed to successful applicants of this year’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The budget was revealed by Defra today (Thursday, June 11), with the department also announcing that at least £50 million will be available for new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) agreements this year,
Defra outlined that both schemes are aimed at boosting food production, strengthening farm resilience, supporting nature recovery, and underpinning the UK’s long-term food security.
SFI26
By simplifying the scheme this year, Defra noted that SFI agreements are “designed to support family farms and meet the challenges of modern farming”.
The department stated that “the scheme cuts red tape and pays farmers for taking practical steps that benefit their land, such as improving soil health, keeping waterways clean, and creating space for wildlife”.
SFI applications are reported to open from June 30 for small farms and those without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) agreement.
A second application window will follow suit in September, which will be open for all farms to apply.
Defra
Defra encouraged hopeful SFI applicants to consider actions that encourage the reduced use of synthetic fertilisers in favour of more sustainable and environmentally friendly options.
The department said that these actions could cut input costs for farmers and boost their farm’s resilience to global market shocks.
Speaking on the upcoming scheme, Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds emphasised the “fundamental” role that farmers play in establishing UK’s food security.
She commented: “They produce the food we rely on, support rural communities, and play a vital role in our economy.
“Under the previous Sustainable Farming Incentive, a quarter of funding went to just 4% of farms, so we have redesigned it to be simpler and fairer, helping more farms grow, boost productivity and protect the natural environment they depend on.”