Call for farm data payments in revamped SFI

A group of 15 senior industry figures has urged Defra to include incentives for collecting farm data in the next iteration of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) in England.

In an open letter to Defra secretary Emma Reynolds, the consortium argues that rewarding farmers for adopting appropriate digital tools and software would help drive both environmental and economic sustainability, while supporting productivity, resilience and national food security.

See also: Analysis: SFI returns in 2026, but doubts linger

The letter follows the Ms Reynolds’ announcement at the Oxford Farming Conference that a redesigned SFI is expected to relaunch from June or September 2026.

Led by Richard Williamson, chairman of Hutchinsons’ sustainability advisory council, the group says data is now “at the core of how farmers operate”, but that current policy does too little to encourage the collection of high-quality, consistent on-farm data.

It argues that the UK missed an opportunity after leaving the EU to embed digital agriculture into post-Brexit support schemes, and that the redesigned SFI should correct that oversight.

“We are therefore writing to ask that the redrafting of the SFI includes an option to reward farmers for the adoption of suitable software and technology for the collection of credible and useful farm data,” the letter says.

According to the group, incentivising data collection would allow farmers to establish baseline metrics, improve decision-making, and unlock new environmental and nature markets.

It could also enable more effective data sharing across the supply chain, support soil health and carbon measurement, and provide evidence for trade negotiations and consumer assurance.

Farm Profitability Review synergy

The signatories say a stronger focus on data would align closely with the recommendations of Baroness Batters’ Farm Profitability Review, including boosting innovation, improving business advice and professional development, and creating standardised metrics for soil health and carbon.

They say a redesigned SFI presents an opportunity for the UK to become a global leader in data-driven sustainable food production, and that the group stands ready to support Defra in shaping the scheme.

Defra plans to reopen the SFI for applications in the late spring.