Two Weeks Remaining: Farmers Urged to Apply for Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – 17 August 2026 – Farm businesses across Northern Ireland have just two weeks left to apply for the inaugural round of the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) announced today. The vital grant aid program, a cornerstone of DAERA’s Sustainable Agriculture Programme, is designed to bolster agricultural efficiency and environmental stewardship.
The application window for Round 1 of the scheme, which opened on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, is set to close at 11:59 pm on Thursday, 3 September 2026. DAERA is strongly advising all potential applicants, and those who have started but not yet submitted their applications, to act promptly to secure their funding opportunity.
The Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme represents a significant commitment from DAERA, allocating up to £40 million to support farm businesses in upgrading their operations. Through this initiative, farmers can access grant aid of up to £25,000 for on-farm investments in a pre-selected list of equipment and technology. The scheme aims to foster improvements across all farming sectors, ensuring a more productive and environmentally resilient agricultural landscape.
Eligible investments range from £3,000 to £62,500, with a generous grant rate of 40%. A key feature of the scheme is its streamlined application process. Applicants will find the eligible item list integrated into a user-friendly online system. Crucially, grants will be offered based on a pre-determined reference price for each item, eliminating the need for applicants to provide multiple quotes, thereby simplifying the application journey.
This initial round is the first of several planned deployments of the scheme over the next three to four years. Its swift implementation underscores DAERA’s commitment to supporting the transition to a more sustainable farming sector in Northern Ireland.
The Sustainable Agriculture Programme, under which this scheme operates, has been developed through extensive consultation with a wide array of stakeholders, including representatives from the food, agriculture, environmental, and veterinary sectors. Its overarching goal is to implement policies and strategies that simultaneously benefit Northern Ireland’s climate and environment while strengthening its economically and socially vital agricultural industry.
Primary food producers across livestock, arable, and horticulture sectors, holding a Category 1 Farm Business ID, are eligible to apply. Prospective applicants are reminded to ensure they possess a Government Gateway or NI Direct Account and that their contact details registered with DAERA are current.
For comprehensive information on the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme, including the full eligible item list and application guidelines, interested parties can visit the DAERA website.
Notes to Editors:
- DAERA’s Sustainable Agriculture Programme has been developed in consultation with a range of food, agriculture, environmental and veterinary stakeholders across the SAP from its commencement.
- The overall aim is to transition to a more sustainable farming sector by seeking to implement policies and strategies that benefit Northern Ireland’s climate and environment, while supporting its economically and socially significant agriculture sector.
- Further information on Sustainable Agriculture Programme can be found at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/sustainable-agriculture-programme
- Primary food producers, across livestock, arable and horticulture sectors with a Category 1 Farm Business ID will be eligible for the scheme. Potential applicants should ensure that they have a Government Gateway or NI Direct Account and that their contact details registered with the Department are up to date.
- Further information on the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme can be found at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/sustainable-farming-investment-scheme
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- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
