The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offers three-year agreements, paying farmers to adopt and maintain sustainable farming practises. The scheme aims to replace the majority of the Basic Payment Scheme and will work alongside other grants such as Countryside Stewardship. 

Here, we provide a breakdown of who is eligible, what it will pay for and a timeline of events. 

Who is Eligible?
The SFI is a non-competitive scheme, meaning anyone who is eligible and applies will get an agreement. 
To be eligible, your land must be registered under the Rural Payments Agency, and you must have management control of the land for three years – this also now includes those on a rolling year-on-year tenancy. 

Payments
In many cases, the payment rates exceed those in existing grants providing further incentive to the scheme. Annual payments will be received quarterly and sent via BACS to the same account you receive BPS. 

Do I need to supply evidence to be paid?
Yes! You will need to keep all invoices, bank statements and pictures relating to the agreement, throughout the entire three years. 

Timeline
Once approved, your agreements will start on the first day of the month. Dependent on the processing period, and how quickly you accept your offer, this could be the month immediately after you approve your agreement. 

SFI does allow new options and land to be added to existing agreements, however you may not be able to:
•reduce what you’re doing in your agreement, by removing SFI actions or land;
•end your agreement early or
•transfer the scheme to another individual.

For further information and guidance on the next steps and options that best fits your farming system contact our Rural Grant Team