Why apply for SFI
- Productivity and resilience
SFI pays you for actions that can help reduce farm input costs, reduce waste, improve soil health and help mitigate the impacts of extreme weather.
- Cashflow
You’ll receive your first payment four months after your SFI agreement starts. After that you’ll be paid every three months. SFI offers up to £2,000 as a management payment in the first agreement year, and up to £1,000 a year for the next three years, to cover the costs of taking part.
- Flexibility and choice
You choose whichever actions are right for your business if your farm and land are eligible. If you’re already in an agreement you can take out a new agreement to access the new actions available.
- Trust
We set out the aim of the action and the essential ‘must do’ requirements, making these as flexible as possible. Farmers are trusted to implement the actions in a way that best suits their farm type and setting. We’ve reduced unfair penalties when farmers make minor errors and take an advise and support approach to help you get it right.
- Straightforward
It’s straightforward to apply and manage your agreement. You can apply when you want through the Rural Payments service and your agreement will start the month after you accept it.
We are recruiting farmers to have early access the expanded SFI offer.
If you would like to be one of the first farmers invited to apply for the new actions, please register your interest.
What farmers say about SFI
Hear from farmers who say SFI will help build a business that’s resilient for the long term.
Ian May, beef and sheep farmer
“I’m looking to build a business that’s resilient for the long term. SFI helps you do that.”
Paul Brown, wheat farmer
“Farmers are here to produce food, SFI will help us do that…and it will help support the environment at the same time. It’s win-win”.
Sarah Eveleigh, beef and sheep farmer
“They’ve listened to farmers and taken this pick and mix approach so it’s not restrictive.”
We are recruiting farmers to have early access to the expanded SFI offer.
If you would like to be one of the first farmers invited to apply for the new actions, please register your interest.