Applications have opened for The Farming Investment Fund, a £27 million pot to purchase equipment intended to have “a real impact on productivity and yields, as well as a benefit for the environment as we build on the historic commitments of COP 26” according to Victoria Prentis. Farming Minister. The Farming Investment Fund is split into two parts. The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund is for small investments and offers grants from a set list of equipment including rainwater harvesting tanks. The Farming Transformation Fund is for large investments with the potential to transform business performance. Once again, water storage tanks are an eligible item.
Tuffa Water Storage Tanks
We manufacture large plastic water tanks in capacities from 6,000 to 20,000 litres as a single unit. Alternatively, tanks can be interlinked to reach higher capacities. All of our water tanks are rotomoulded using UV stabilised, corrosion-resistant and WRAS-approved polyethylene with a higher-than-average shot weight. This creates an extremely durable single unit with a strong tank wall and additional protection from leaks or weathering.
As standard, our large plastic water tanks come with a 600mm screwlid, screened vent and 2” BSP stainless steel female bottom outlet. However, the tank can be adapted to meet site requirements. Our plastic water tanks are ideal for rainwater harvesting or as simple water storage tanks and offer a low-maintenance, lightweight and cost-effective alternative to steel tanks.
Our rainwater harvesting tanks can be supplied with pre-filters and an electric pump – both requirements of a grant for a rainwater harvesting system. However, we recommend contacting our rainwater harvesting filter and components supplier 3P Technik to discuss your individual farm needs. UV water filters are also required under the scheme and are commercially available online.
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund provides smaller grants to improve sustainable agricultural, horticultural and forestry productivity. The scheme is similar to its predecessor the Countryside Productivity Small Grant but the minimum grant value is reduced to £2,000 and the maximum grant value has increased to £25,000. There will be two rounds of funding so applicants can apply for a total of £50,000 during the scheme’s duration.
The grant enables those within the agricultural sector to buy items from an approved list of equipment, technology and small infrastructure investments. Under the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund there are 119 eligible items compared with 87 in the Countryside Productivity Small Grant. Rainwater harvesting tanks are two of the new eligible items and are expected to prove a popular entry to the grant. The first option for a rainwater harvesting system requires a tank with a minimum capacity of 5,000 litres with £939 funding available. The second option is specifically for above ground rainwater harvesting systems with a capacity to store a minimum of 50,000 litres with £3,678 funding available. These rainwater harvesting systems require water tanks, debris and UV filters as well pumps.
What rainwater harvesting systems items are eligible?
Item Number: FETF21
Rainwater harvesting system to collect water from roofs for use on a farm or nursery.
Minimum tank size required: 5,000 litres
Rainwater harvesting system grant: £939
Equipment required:
- Two stage pre filter (to remove debris and soil from water before entering the tank).
- UV filter capable of treating at least 30 litres per minute (@30 mJ/cm² or above). The UV filter must include auto shut off in case of power or bulb failure, to prevent untreated water from leaving the system.
- Electric pump (to distribute water to required use).
Item Number: FETF21
Above ground rainwater harvesting system to collect water from roofs for use on a farm or nursery.
Minimum tank size required: 50,000 litres
Rainwater harvesting system grant: £3,678
Equipment required:
- Two stage pre filter (to remove debris and soil from water before entering the tank).
- UV filter capable of treating at least 100 litres per minute (@30 mJ/cm² or above). The UV filter must include auto shut off in case of power or bulb failure, to prevent untreated water from leaving the system.
- Electric pump (to distribute water to required use).
Who is eligible?
Farmers, horticulturalists and forest owners. However, contractors to the industry can now apply.
What is the total grant available?
Two rounds of funding are available, both offer grants for a minimum of £2,000 and maximum of £25,000 with a combination of eligible items.
What is the deadline?
The round 1 application window is 16th November 2021 until 12 January 2022 at midday.
How to apply?
Applications can be submitted online using the FETF Application Portal.
What are the grant’s terms and conditions?
The Government website details fund conditions and full terms and conditions. Conditions include purchasing items with the relevant CE or UKCA marking and making a single claim for all the items by midnight 30th September by which time it must be delivered, installed and operational (where required). Our water tanks are CE marked and lead times are typically 4 weeks.
Farming Transformation Fund
The Farming Transformation Fund covers more substantial changes requiring large investments but with the potential to transform business performance. The first round is the Farming Transformation Fund Water Management grant and aims to improve water usage on farms and forestry or ornamentals nurseries. Broadly, the grant funds projects which improve productivity through efficient use of water and secure water supplies for crop irrigation.
The Farming Transformation Fund offers 40% funding for projects costing at least £87,500 (£35,00 claimed through the grant) and the maximum grant is £500,000. Eligible project costs include reservoir construction and infrastructure, irrigation equipment and technology to optimize water application. Water storage tanks are available through the grant and must be used for storing water for irrigation of crops.
What rainwater harvesting items are eligible?
Filtration equipment
Water meter
Irrigation pumps and controls
Pipework to fill the reservoir
Who is eligible?
Those in England who grow crops for the food industry, are a nursery growing ornamentals, or are a forestry nursery.
How much funding is available?
The Farming Transformation Fund pays up to 40% of the total costs of a project. The minimum grant for this is £35,000 and the maximum grant is £500,000.
What is the deadline?
The application window to check eligibility for the first round of funding (Farming Transformation Fund Water Management) is 16th November 2021 until 12 January 2022 at midday. If you have been invited to complete the full application, then the deadline is 30th June 2022.
How to apply?
The application for the Farming Transformation Fund Water Management contains two stages. Checking eligibility for the grant is the first stage and can be completed here. Candidates compete for funding and grants will be allocated on a point basis. Projects that score highly enough will be emailed with details on how to make the full application. More details are available on the GOV website.
To enquire about prices or resellers and agricultural merchants selling our tanks please contact our sales team on 01889 567700, by emailing [email protected] or complete the web enquiry form.
