FARMERS can now submit applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023. 

The Secretary of State for Food and Farming, Thérèse Coffey, has confirmed that the scheme is accepting applications from today (September 18). 

The scheme is to help fund actions that support food production, farm profitability and resilience, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment. 

As part of the scheme, there are 23 paid for actions including hedgerows, nutrient management, farmland wildlife and low input grassland. Farmers can choose a combination of actions that are right for them. 

The scheme was due to start accepting applications from August. Many groups including the NFU criticised the delay, saying this would mean funding would not be paid on time. 

The Government announced last week that farmers with a live SFI agreement before the end of the year will recieve their first quarterly payment (worth 25%) by the end of the year. 

Ms Coffey said: "I have been delighted by the registrations of interest from farmers across a diverse range of farm types in our new Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme. It highlights how the SFI has something on offer for every type of farmer.

"We’ll be working to get as many farmers onto the scheme as quickly as possible, so that they get payments in their pockets and are rewarded for the enthusiasm with which they are embracing this scheme."