Tag: Productivity

English Grants

Countryside Productivity Grants Extended

New grant funding is available for farmers in England to improve productivity and add value to farm produce.  An extra £40m is being committed to the Countryside Productivity Scheme (CPS).  As reported on in August, this was already open for forestry and water management projects, but is now being extended further.

Grants of 40% are available, with the minimum grant level being £35,000 and the maximum £1m under the productivity strand.  Examples of the type of productivity investments that will be funded under the CPS are; 

  • robotic equipment and systems to aid production including robotic milkers and robotic harvesters
  • equipment to increase the use of renewable energy produced on farm (but not equipment for the generation of energy).  Includes heat distribution systems and battery storage for renewables
  • LED lighting for crop production
  • slurry and digestate management equipment

Funding for processing to add value is available for most farm produce including milk, eggs, meat grain, fruit and vegetables.  Applicants for these grants have to submit an Expression of Interest before being selected for a full application.  The deadline to submit EOI is 29th June 2018.  Under the Productivity strand, there is a single-stage application process with a deadline of 3rd December 2018.  For more details see – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countryside-productivity-scheme 

Growth Programme

The deadline for applications to the Growth Programme under the RDPA has been extended until 31st May 2018.  The deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest was previously going to be 31st January 2018.  The Growth Programme provides funding for projects in England which create jobs and help grow the rural economy.  The funding is delivered through Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPS) who have developed local strategies and priorities.  There are 39 LEPs in England.  Funding is available in three areas; Business Development, Food Processing and Rural Tourism Infrastructure.  More information can be found on the Government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdpe-growth-programme