The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has revealed that farmers across England will be able to apply for part of a £50 million grant to boost productivity and profitability.

Farmers across England will be able to apply to grants totalling £50 million to improve access to new technology able to boost productivity, profitability and food security, including seed-planting robots, pesticide spreaders and slurry separator systems.

The £46.7 million Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) will aim to support farmers with three types of grant, worth up to £25,000 each, to invest in day-to-day equipment to boost productivity, manage slurry or improve animal health and welfare.

“These grants will help provide our farmers with the equipment necessary to adapt, compete, and grow no matter what challenges lie ahead.”

Government highlighted that, in addition, the £5 million Investor Partnerships programme will blend Government grant money with private investment to bring cutting-edge technology to market, aiming to give farmers and food producers faster and more widespread access to state-of-the-art innovations.

A pilot has reportedly reduced reliance on seasonal labour through bringing high-yield broccoli harvesters to market and has helped crops grow healthier and faster without chemicals by using new seed cleaning technologies.

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner commented: “Equipment and technology help drive farming forward and we will work with investors to fund more resilient, sustainable farms boosting profitability, productivity and food security.

“This is the Plan for Change in action and these grants will help provide our farmers with the equipment necessary to adapt, compete, and grow no matter what challenges lie ahead.”