Sustainable Farming Incentive

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is a UK government scheme designed to replace the EU's common agricultural policy. It aims to financially reward farmers for undertaking practices that benefit nature, soil health, and other public goods, moving away from direct land payments. The scheme recently opened applications for its 2026 funding, but the allocated £233 million was exhausted within just six hours, leaving thousands of farmers unable to access the support. This rapid depletion highlights significant demand and interest from the agricultural sector. The SFI's relevance is underscored by ongoing discussions about climate crisis impacts on farming, as seen with recent announcements of drought relief funding. The scheme's limited funding availability makes it a current point of discussion regarding the adequacy of support for farmers transitioning to more environmentally conscious practices.