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Defra creates £20 million "green" farming fund
Defra has launched a £20 million fund to help farmers and rural businesses increase profits and reduce their impact on the environment.
The Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme, unveiled by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice, will give farmers, foresters and horticulturalists the chance to apply for grants of up to £25,000 to invest in green projects and new machinery so their businesses can grow in an environmentally friendly way.
The scheme is part of Defra’s Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) which aims to improve competitiveness in the agriculture and forestry sector, safeguard and enhance the rural environment, foster competitive and sustainable rural businesses and thriving rural communities.
To be eligible for a grant starting from £2,500, applicants must show how the funding will help them improve the health and welfare of farm animals or save, recycle or reuse rainwater.
Funds will be allocated between now and December 2013. Grants will cover a maximum of half of the total cost of projects in upland areas and at most 40% of the total cost of projects in non-upland areas.
Jim Paice said: “Growing our economy goes hand-in-hand with protecting and improving our environment. We want rural businesses to thrive and this new fund will help farmers, foresters and horticulturists to boost their profits and use greener and more efficient ways of working.”
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