The first letters of offer under the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme (SFIS), worth £15 million, will issue this week to farmers in Northern Ireland.

The scheme will offer £40 million of investment support to farm businesses over the next three to four years.

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir said: “I am encouraged by the level of interest from farmers in making investments to improve their business efficiency and bring benefits to the environment.

“The scheme is a significant element within the Sustainable Agriculture Programme and supports on-farm investment to underpin a sustainable, productive and resilient agricultural sector."

Deadline for acceptance

Successful applicants will have 28 days to accept their letter of offer, which can be accessed via the SFIS portal from October 8.

The minister highlighted the deadline for acceptance, saying: “I would encourage successful applicants to consider and accept their letter of offer promptly, if they are content to proceed with their investment plans".

Letters of offer can be reviewed, accepted or declined by logging into the SFIS scheme portal.

All members of the successful farm business who have provided a valid email address and are registered with DAERA, will receive a secure message on the DAERA customer portal.

This will advise that a letter of offer is available on the scheme portal.

If the farm business has nominated an agent, they will also receive a secure message.

Farm businesses are reminded to ensure their contact details are up to date.

Low emission slurry spreading

Separate letters of offer will issue for low emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE) and for non-LESSE equipment.

Farmers who are successful in applying for both will need to accept each letter of offer separately if they wish to proceed.

Letters of offer not accepted by the 28-day deadline will expire.

The minister concluded: “SFIS is a critical scheme to help deliver a thriving and environmentally sustainable agriculture sector.

"The high level of demand is indicative of the investment required and it is important that funding is secured going forward to allocate to as many farm businesses as possible."