UK Farmers Set to Receive £150M to Revive Rivers, Protect Soils, and Strengthen Landscapes

Thousands of farmers across the country are set to benefit from a fresh wave of support, as the government opens a new round of its flagship Capital Grants offer. The latest funding, totalling £150 million, is designed to back sustainable food production while encouraging environmental improvements on farms.

This round of support targets a diverse range of on-farm projects. Think tree planting, flood prevention, better slurry storage, or cleaner water through improved filtration. The idea is to help farmers boost profits, but in ways that also protect the land they work on. It’s a win for food and nature.

The previous round delivered real impact. In just one year, farmers used these grants to plant more than 4,000 miles of hedgerows and modernise slurry systems, which played a key role in keeping rivers cleaner. This latest announcement signals continued momentum, as the government takes further steps to support British agriculture.

Alongside the grants, other measures have been implemented to alleviate pressure on farmers. These include cutting unnecessary red tape for food exports to the EU, tapping former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters to lead a review on improving farm profitability, and securing larger slices of public food contracts, across schools, hospitals, and prisons, for local farmers.

Under the new Capital Grants round, farmers and land managers can apply for support across 78 eligible items. The list includes tools for flood management, initiatives to improve water quality, and other relevant resources. Four new items have also been added: assessments of woodland health, wildfire management planning, dry-stone wall repairs, and hosting farm-based educational visits.

To ensure that more farms can take advantage, the rules are being tweaked. Funding limits are being introduced for four out of the six item groups, making the offer more accessible and helping Defra manage the budget fairly across applicants. The caps are as follows:

• Up to £25,000 for each of the water quality, air quality, and natural flood management groups

• Up to £35,000 for the group covering boundaries, trees, and orchards

Applicants can still request items from all six categories, but the above limits will apply to those four.

Defra also plans to gather feedback from farmers and use it to refine the scheme ahead of the next round, expected to open in 2026.

Coinciding with the funding launch, both the Environment Secretary and the Farming Minister are set to speak at the Groundswell Show, highlighting the government’s ongoing engagement with the sector. More updates on the reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme are expected this summer.

All of this forms part of a broader national plan. The goal? Grow the rural economy, support our farmers, and strengthen the UK’s food security for the future.