New productivity grants for 2025 have been announced by Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Here’s an overview of the three main funds the grants will be available through.
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF)
The FETF provides grants for equipment, technology and small infrastructure aimed at boosting productivity, improving slurry management, and enhancing animal health and welfare. More than £107 million has been awarded to farmers, growers, foresters and contractors in England over the last three rounds. A new round will launch this spring, with grants ranging from £1,000 to £25,000. A total of £30 million will be available for productivity and slurry, and £16.7 million for animal health and welfare.
Farming Innovation Programme (FIP)
The FIP offers funding for farmers, growers and foresters. The funding can be used to develop and use innovative methods and technologies. Competitive grants coming soon within the programme include:
- Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023: Up to £12.5 million for research on precision breeding technology.
- Net Zero Farming: Up to £12.5 million for research on technologies and practices to help transition towards Net Zero.
- Industry-led Competitions: Up to £17.6 million for projects ranging from early-stage feasibility to later-stage R&D towards commercialisation.
FIP has invested £51.8 million to date, with an additional £98 million committed to ongoing projects. Notable trials include semi-transparent solar panels in glasshouses and polytunnels, and the use of daffodil extract in cattle feed to reduce methane emissions.
Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies Fund (ADOPT)
ADOPT provides collaborative, farmer-led innovation grants for trialing new technology and methods on farms. Grants will range from £50,000 to £100,000 and will be available from spring 2025. A bespoke Support Hub will assist farmers in their applications and encourage collaboration. The Support Hub will be led by RSK ADAS with support from the UK Agri Tech Centre and Soil Association.
More details on all three of the funds outline above can be found on the government’s farming blog.
Up to £63 million will be available through FIP and ADOPT starting in the 2025/26 financial year. We encourage farmers, foresters, growers, research organisations and others in the industry to consider applications for these valuable productivity grants.