The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has unveiled its new £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund today (Thursday, July 16), alongside a new Farmer Welfare Grant worth £1.5 million.

Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds noted that the Farmer Collaboration Fund will go towards helping farmers "tackle shared challenges by backing practical, farmer-led collaboration through peer learning and specialist advice in key areas such as soil management".

By working collaboratively and sharing expertise, the department stated that the goal of the fund is to allow farmers to bring down their input costs, manage shared risks, and improve soil and water management.

Speaking on the fund, Reynolds said: "I have heard first-hand from farmers in different parts of the country how important collaboration and innovation are to the sector's future. 

According to Defra, the collaboration fund will be delivered through organisations including charities, local authorities and non-governmental organisations.

The department outlined that the fund will reportedly give farmers access to trusted local expertise and practical support, while reducing paperwork so farmers can focus on learning from one another and improving their business.

The Farmer Collaboration Fund will be open to applications from September 1-30, with successful applicants expected to be notified in early November. 

Further guidance on the fund and how to apply will published by the department sometime next month.

Farmer Welfare Grant

Along with the £30 million provided for the collaboration fund, Defra also announced that it will be tripling its dedicated funding for farmer welfare and wellbeing through a new £1.5 million grant.

The Farmer Welfare Grant will financially support targeted projects that strengthen farmers' personal and business resilience, with applications for the grant set to open on August 6.

Defra added that further information regarding the grant will be made available on its farming blog in the coming weeks.