Sustainable Farming Incentive Attracts Over 10,000 Farmers in England
Overwhelming Response to the Sustainable Farming Incentive
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, launched by Defra in September, has garnered significant interest from farmers across England. More than 10,000 farmers have already applied for the improved scheme, which aims to support food production, farm productivity, and environmental resilience. This impressive number represents one in eight eligible farmers, demonstrating the scheme’s popularity among the farming community.
Farmers Embrace Actions for Sustainability
The SFI scheme offers payments to farmers for taking actions that benefit both food production and the environment. Farmers have embraced the scheme, with 174,000 hectares of arable land now being managed without insecticides, 71,000 hectares of low input grassland focused on improving sustainability, and nearly 15,000km of hedgerows under management as of January.
Encouragement from Farming Minister and Rural Payments Agency
Farming Minister Mark Spencer has encouraged farmers who have not yet applied to consider how the scheme could work for their business, stating that the SFI has something to offer for every type of farm. The application process has been streamlined, with the majority of farmers finding it straightforward, according to Rural Payments Agency Chief Executive Paul Caldwell.
‘On farm Environmental Resilience’ Competition Winners Announced
The government has also announced the winners of the ‘On farm Environmental Resilience’ competition, with 24 innovative projects receiving a share of £12.2 million in funding. These projects aim to develop cutting-edge technology to tackle long-term challenges in farming, such as preventing potato blight, improving chicken welfare, growing climate-resistant hops, and maximizing grape yields in British vineyards.
Farming Innovation Programme Supports Sustainable and Productive Farming
The Farming Innovation Programme (FIP), delivered by Innovate UK, has committed over £140 million to support more than 170 projects across the country. These projects focus on developing new approaches for farms to become more sustainable and productive, from reducing pesticide use to minimizing emissions from livestock.
A Promising Future for British Farming
The success of the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme and the Farming Innovation Programme highlights the commitment of both the government and farmers to create a more sustainable and resilient agricultural landscape in England. As more farmers join the scheme and innovative projects continue to receive funding, the future of British farming looks promising, with a focus on balancing food production, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability.
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