The Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, has announced that a £40 million boost is to be made available to fund the next stage of the Country Productivity Scheme. The grant support will allow farmers in England to apply for funding to improve farm productivity through a diverse range of investments.

However, the rules for applicants mean that farmers must be willing and able to invest sums of at least £50,000 themselves, therefore potentially leaving the smaller producers behind.
The grant funding is used to support eligible projects which includes the use of robotic equipment and systems to aid with crop and livestock production or increasing the use of renewable energy produced on farm by improving energy storage and distribution. There will also be consideration for projects involving the use of LED wavelength controlled lighting to aid crop production, along with technology that makes more efficient use of livestock slurries, manures and digestate.
Within the pot of £40 million of funding, £14 million is being designated for the dairy industry to aid with improving farm productivity.

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