Northern Ireland issues first Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme offers

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is issuing the first offer letters for the £15 million Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme (SFIS) in Northern Ireland this week. The scheme is designed to provide up to £40 million in investment support to farm businesses over the next three to four years to improve business efficiency and environmental benefits.

Successful applicants will have 28 days to accept their offer via the SFIS portal. Separate letters will be issued for low emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE) and non-LESSE equipment; farmers successful in both categories must accept each letter separately. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir noted that the scheme is a critical component of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, aimed at supporting a resilient and productive agricultural sector.