FETF 2024: New horticulture items added to grants list
20th March 2024
As applications open for the latest round of FETF, we take a look at a number of new eligible items for horticulture this year.
Farmers and growers can now apply for productivity and slurry management grants through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024, from now until 17th April 2024.
A number of new items have been added to the list of productivity items eligible for grants this year, following feedback from the horticulture sector.
The productivity grant provides smaller value grants towards the cost of items from a prescribed list. It supports the purchase of specific equipment, technology, and small infrastructure investments aimed at making an immediate difference to farm performance, including investments that will help farmers use less inputs, reduce emissions, and cut waste.
Farmers and growers can apply for one grant from each of the three themes – productivity, slurry management and animal health and welfare. The fund is competitive.
You can apply for a grant between £1,000–50,000 towards productivity equipment.
FETF: New horticulture items
New to the list this year are remote substrate sensors with dataloggers – with a grant of 50% available towards the purchase price (average cost is expected to be £798).
Tractor mounted sensors for precision orchard management, at an average cost of £21,500, are also eligible, with 60% paid towards the item.
A grant of 60% of the purchase price is also available for a plug transplanting machine, as well as a drone for spraying whitewash onto glasshouses. Meanwhile, a 50% grant is available for front-mounted orchard pruners.
Other items available for funding include:
- Electronic tray filling machines
- Electronic row seeders
- Large tractor mounted flail mulchers for orchards and vineyards
- Inter row weeders (1.8m)
- Inter row hoes (3m and 6m).
For more information on the horticulture items eligible under the FETF productivity grant, click here.
Improving Farm Productivity grant (round 2)
Growers can also apply for grants under round two of Improving Farm Productivity until 21st March, which covers grants for capital items to improve farm and horticulture productivity.
This includes installing wavelength specific LED lighting or advanced ventilation control units in existing horticultural buildings – as well as solar photovoltaic systems and robotic or automatic equipment and systems to aid crop production.
Funding will be prioritised for projects that improve productivity, the environment and innovation, and introduce technology to address labour shortages.
Funding amounts are as follows:
- £25,00-£500,000 for robotic and automated equipment and systems (50% intervention rate)
- £15,000-£100,000 for solar equipment (25% intervention rate)
- £500,000 is the maximum offer.
The first stage of the application process, the online checker, is open until 11:59pm on 21st March 2024.
Click here for more information on the Improving Farm Productivity grant.
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