Countryside Productivity Scheme Large Grants. David Sillett Countryside Productivity Team Lead Rural Payments Agency

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1 Countryside Productivity Scheme Large Grants David Sillett Countryside Productivity Team Lead Rural Payments Agency

2 Countryside Productivity Scheme Large Grants The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Countryside Productivity Scheme provides funding for projects in England which improve productivity in the farming and forestry sectors and help create jobs and growth in the rural economy RDPE including Countryside Productivity Scheme is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) Grants of up to 40% are available for eligible projects Minimum grant 35,000 No maximum but please discuss with us if seeking 1 million plus of grant

3 Countryside Productivity Scheme Large Grants The countryside productivity scheme is divided into four specific themes: Improving Forestry Productivity Water Resource Management Adding Value to Agri-food Improving Farm Productivity There are specific handbooks and application guidance for each theme which is available on gov.uk

4 CP - Water Resource Management To secure water supplies for crop irrigation, and improve efficiency of water use Eligible costs include: Reservoir construction (and synthetic liner if needed) filled by peak flow abstraction Associated infrastructure, eg pumps, permanent underground pipework, filtration equipment Best practice or innovative water application (eg boom irrigators) Check the status of the water body that water will be abstracted from to ensure your project is eligible details are in the handbook See the Water Resource Management Handbook for full details Deadline for applications 29 th June

5 Improving Forestry Productivity Applicants can be forest holders (10ha minimum) or SME forestry contractors Grants for equipment to improve felling, extraction and adding value by primary processing of timber products (eg woodfuel or treated fencing posts / rails) including Forwarder, timber trailers / cranes (for in forest use); skyliners, Mobile, crane-fed woodchippers; trommels; firewood processors; log splitters; kindling machines Equipment to produce fencing material (peel / point and produce half round material) Equipment to vacuum / pressure treat with preservative Covered processing / seasoning storage areas for timber and processed firewood Deadline for applications 3 rd April

6 Adding Value to Agri-food Grants for processors of primary agricultural or horticultural products including food and drink businesses and farmers includes livestock, dairy, arable and horticultural sectors Rural or urban areas Grants are to Improve the processing of primary agricultural products Shorten supply chains Deliver benefits to primary producers Raw materials must be Annex I Agri-food products only 2 stage application process simple Expression of Interest to check eligibility Deadline for Expressions of Interest 29 June

7 Improving Farm Productivity Aim: To improve farm productivity through: The use of robotic equipment to aid crop and livestock production Increasing the use of renewable energy produced on farm by improving energy storage and distribution The use of LED wavelength controlled lighting to aid crop production More efficient use of livestock slurries and manures, and digestate Who can apply: Farmers (including livestock, dairy, arable and horticultural sectors) Deadline for applications 3 December 2018

8 Grants can also be sought for Heat distribution network on farm to increase use of renewable heat For renewable heat only Eg Existing biomass boiler, heat distribution network into glasshouses to displace fossil fuel heating Must ensure RHI accreditation not impacted Low emission slurry / digestate application Eg injection, dribble bars, trailing shoe Mild acidification of slurry Improved nutrient value, reduced ammonia emissions Multi-stage digestate processing Advanced processing to optimise value / utilisation of nutrients

9 Improving Farm Productivity battery storage Aim Enable farmers generating renewable electricity to use more of it themselves Leading to: Improved farm productivity Reduced energy costs Reduced constraints of poor grid connection on remote sites The grants do not: Fund electricity generation installations Duplicate National Grid or other existing incentives for grid levelisation Aim to generate diversification income from sale of electricity to grid

10 Improving Farm Productivity battery storage What is eligible? Installation of electrical battery storage system Must be to store renewable electricity generated on farm Not for storage of electricity imported from Grid Renewable generation installation must already be in place unless off grid Electricity stored must be used on site Must not affect subsidies for renewable electricity generation (eg Feed in Tariff) Check Ofgem guidance to ensure installation meets requirements Note limitations on size of battery storage system in handbook on Gov.uk Later seminar will cover detail

11 Improving Farm Productivity scheme How much grant is available? Up to 40% grant Minimum grant 35,000 (ie minimum eligible project costs 87,500) Competitive grant applications are appraised against criteria in handbook How long is grant available? Deadline for applications = 3 December 2018 Latest date for completion of approved project and grant claim submitted = 31 Dec 2020 Must not start work on a project or place orders before application approved and Grant Funding Agreement signed. Doing so will make application ineligible.

12 Improving Farm Productivity battery storage Scenarios Farmer with 50 KW pv installation and limited grid connection which constrains expansion of activity on site unless unaffordable supply upgrade undertaken. Installation of battery system increases power availability enabling primary food processing project to go ahead on site, capturing more added value of produce grown on farm Dairy farmer with solar pv installation, and peak electricity demand early morning and evening. Poor grid connection means village supply affected when milking. Installation of battery storage reduces peak load on local distribution network, increases use of renewable electricity generate on site resulting in reduced energy costs. Livestock farmer has opportunity to open farm shop to sell direct to public and increase profit margin on own sheep and cattle. Site is off grid and high cost of grid connection makes farm shop not viable. Installing renewable electricity installation (which might be eligible under the FIT scheme) and battery storage (Improving Farm Productivity grant) enables farm shop to proceed off grid.

13 To find out more: Handbooks, application forms and guidance available here: If further advice still needed after reading the handbook / guidance: CPEnquiries@rpa.gsi.gov.uk