Farmers in England can apply for up to £500,000 in Government funding to invest in cutting edge robotics and technology to boost food production.

Grants ranging from £35,000 up to £500,000 are available to invest in productivity-boosting equipment such as driverless tractors, robots that harvest, spray crops and weed, and automated milking systems.

The new scheme, worth £25 million in total, is the latest part of the Farming Investment Fund, an umbrella fund which opened in November and is designed to increase productivity on farms. It’s part of the Government’s Agricultural Transition Plan – the biggest changes to farming in more than 50 years, which will reward farmers and landowners for actions which benefit the environment, supporting sustainable food production alongside vital nature recovery and work towards net zero.

Farmers and agricultural contractors are being urged to take advantage of this opportunity to apply for grants to buy new equipment and infrastructure to improve efficiency; further themed grants will open later this year.

Farming Minister Victoria Prentis said: “We know how important it is for farmers to identify opportunities that maximise productivity and yields. These grants are aimed at contributing towards the purchase of new and green equipment that can bring a positive change to the day-to-day operation of a farm, as well as the wider environment.

“This specific fund has a two-month application window, and I encourage everyone in the sector to take a look at eligibility and fund details.”