Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has welcomed the opening of applications for the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme (SFIS).

The measure is actively encouraging eligible farmers to take advantage of the funding available.

The party's agriculture spokesperson said: "I welcome the opening of the SFIS, something I have been pressing the minister on for some time.

"Farmers have been keen to see this support made available, and I'm pleased that applications are now open.

According to McAleer, the scheme offers a "valuable opportunity" for eligible farm businesses to access 40% grant funding, with awards of up to £25,000 to invest in modern equipment and technology that can "improve efficiency, enhance environmental performance and strengthen the long-term sustainability of their businesses".

McAleer continued: "Supporting our farming sector to adopt new technologies and improve productivity is essential if we are to ensure a profitable, competitive and sustainable future for agriculture.

"I would encourage all eligible primary food producers with a Category 1 Farm Business ID to review the scheme details and submit an application before the closing date of September 3, 2026.

"This is an important opportunity to secure funding that can deliver real benefits for their farm business."

Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme

SFIS is a capital grant scheme, developed under Northern Ireland’s Sustainable Agriculture Programme to support investment in equipment and technology.

The measure aims to help primary food producers in the agricultural and horticultural sectors to improve their environmental performance, animal health, and business efficiency.

SFIS is based on a pre-selected list of eligible items. The list includes options for the management of fruit, vegetables, crops, grassland, and livestock.

The scheme will also offer support for low emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE).

Grant aid of up to £25,000 will be available per farm business across the scheme.

The scheme will open in a number of rounds over the next three or four years.

Investments ranging from £3,000 to £62,500 will be eligible for support under the scheme, with a grant rate of 40%.

Grant will be offered based on a reference price for each item on the Eligible Item List. This means that you will not have to provide quotes as part of your application.

Each item on the eligible list has an individual score, based on the benefits it can bring.

An application score will be calculated from the average score of the items that are selected.