Ten-million pound cashpot to help rural firms grow

The FFIS (Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme) was opened for round three of applications on Tuesday of this week.

FFIS is a grant available to farming businesses, contractors, foresters and horticultural businesses to help them become more efficient at using resources.

With £35,000 available per business and a minimum of £2,500 per successful applicant, an FFIS grant can serve as a real lifeline to support expanding/developing businesses.

There are five themes which applications can come under. They are:

• Reducing energy usage

• Improve the management of manures and farm nutrients

• Improve water resource management

• Improve animal health and welfare

• Improve the use of forestry resources

There are many investment opportunities that most businesses may have thought of but simply cannot warrant the financial outlay at this current time.

The grant is aimed to help with capital expenditure and installation costs.

The grant can help fund many different projects under the five themes: heat recovery systems and electricity efficiency devices being available under the energy theme; slurry separators and application equipment to soil mapping software under the nutrient management theme; rainwater harvesting and water recycling in water resource management; and in forest and forestry yard-based equipment in the forestry theme.

Meanwhile, the animal welfare theme offers funding to help with everything from mobile handling equipment and crushes to electronic EID readers, incinerators and nipple drinkers for broiler units.

The applications are going to be assessed on a first-come-first-served basis, so early application is a must.

Even tenant farmers are eligible for building/equipment improvements as long there are six years remaining on the tenancy.

The application can be quite complicated and time-consuming so we recommend that you seek advice and engage a professional to help with the application and increase the chances of success.

They will not only be able to assist with the application but advise on the works and a number of other issues such as planning. These can then be dealt with quickly and effectively ensuring the whole process is done correctly, in a timely manner and is cost effective.