NI farmers to receive first £15m SFIS offers
© Adobe Stock Farmers in Northern Ireland will begin receiving £15m worth of investment offers under the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme (SFIS) on Thursday, 8 October.
The first letters of offer form part of £40m of support expected to be made available to farm businesses through the scheme over the next three to four years.
See also: NI farmers invited into £16.6m genotyping scheme
Successful applicants will have 28 days to accept or decline their offer through the SFIS portal, with any offers not accepted within the deadline expiring.
Separate letters of offer will be issued for low-emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE) and non-LESSE equipment. Farmers approved for funding in both categories must accept each offer separately.
Farm business members who have supplied a valid email address and are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) will receive a secure message through the Daera customer portal advising them that an offer is available.
Nominated agents will also receive a message, and farmers are being advised to check that their contact details are up to date.
Agriculture minister Andrew Muir said: “I am encouraged by the level of interest from farmers in making investments to improve their business efficiency and bring benefits to the environment.
“The scheme is a significant element within the Sustainable Agriculture Programme and supports on-farm investment to underpin a sustainable, productive and resilient agricultural sector.”
Mr Muir said the level of demand demonstrated the scale of investment needed across the sector.
“The high level of demand is indicative of the investment required, and it is important that funding is secured going forward to allocate to as many farm businesses as possible,” he added.
Forest Expansion Scheme
Farmers in Northern Ireland are encouraged to apply for the Forest Expansion Scheme (FES) before applications close on Monday, 19 October at 3pm.
The FES aims to help landowners establish new woodlands of at least 3ha, and accommodates various woodland types.
Eligible applicants can receive up to 100% of the costs of establishing woodland, as well as annual premium payments of £469/ha (increased from £350/ha) for 10 years.
The Small Woodland Grant Scheme is also set to reopen for applications in late November for the 2026/-7 planting season.
The scheme supports the creation of new native woodlands of 0.2ha or more.
Successful applicants can receive £2,925/ha towards woodland establishment costs and annual payments of £469/ha for 10 years.
Agriculture minister Andrew Muir said: “The Forest Expansion Scheme supports a wide diversity of landowner goals, which may be timber production, improving biodiversity, enhancing water quality or creating a lasting environmental legacy.”
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