Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme
Rural Development Programme – Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme
Applications open until 4th November 2020
The RDPE Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme provides funding for farmers to purchase equipment to improve the productivity of their farm.
The scheme uses a simple online application process and is targeted at specific pieces of agricultural equipment.
Agricultural and horticultural contractors are not eligible to apply for the grant.
The minimum grant is £3,000 up to a maximum of £12,000 covering up to 40% of the eligible costs in your application.
You do not need to provide quotes for any of the items. Each item has a standard cost which is the maximum amount that will be eligible for grant funding. You must have funds available to pay for the items upfront.
Applicants who applied in Round 1 & 2 are eligible to apply again provided have not exceeded the maximum of £12,000 in the previous grants.
Examples of items available:
- Cattle crush (automatic or manual)
- Auto calf feeder with washing facility
- Electronic weigh scales (all systems)
- EID hand-held devices
- Heat recovery unit/plate cooler
- Robotic Slurry Pusher
(only items listed in the handbook are eligible)
How to apply
The application is completed online and should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. To apply you will need the following information:
- Single Business Identifier (SBI) Number
- Customer Registration Number (CRN)
- Email address – must be the address that is registered with the Rural Payments Agency.
- Full address and postcode of the business.
- Number of hectares of land farmed.
- Type of farming system.
- Livestock numbers including species, sex and age.
- Number of people that you employ.
The details on the application must exactly match the details that the RPA hold for your business, otherwise the application will be rejected.
Applications will be scored based on the following criteria:
- Technical efficiency
- Animal health and welfare
- Nutrient management
- Resource efficiency
How to claim
The items must meet a minimum specification.
You must buy and claim for the items within 150 days of the application being approved, after which the application will be withdrawn.
You must not buy or order items before receiving an acceptance confirmation.
All items must be bought and paid for before a claim can be submitted. Invoices, bank statements and photographs will need to be available when submitting the claim as proof that the items have been paid for and are in use.
Can WBW apply for you?
Yes – Agents can complete applications on behalf of farmers.
We can also assist with the claim process should your application be successful.
If you would like assistance with the scheme, please contact Karen Shuttleworth or Jess Austin on 01756 692900
