Clock ticking on Defra farming resilience fund

Farmers are being reminded to take advantage of the Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF), a Defra initiative designed to help them navigate the changes brought by England’s agricultural transition.

As well as concerns over upcoming changes to inheritance tax rules, farm businesses are also having to deal with a cocktail of other issues, including declining Basic payments, labour and mental health concerns, the impact of extreme weather and post-Brexit trade deals.

Available to Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) recipients, the fund offers free business advice to farmers in England only, as they adapt to the new system of agricultural payments and policies under the Agricultural Transition Plan.

See also: New support group in Suffolk targets poor mental health

Launched in October 2022, the FFRF aims to support farmers and land managers as they adjust to the gradual removal of BPS payments and the introduction of new Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes.

This initiative offers expert advice and guidance, helping farmers make informed decisions about their businesses during this period of change, which will see direct support payments reduce to zero by 2027.

A total of £32m has been allocated to support the programme, which is set to run until March 2025. The funding is distributed across 17 organisations in England, providing a mix of regional and national services to ensure broad access to support.

Types of support available

Farmers can access a variety of tailored services through the FFRF. This includes:

• One-to-one consultations to address specific business challenges
• Farm visits to provide tailored recommendations based on the needs of individual farms
• Written reports with detailed strategies for adapting farm operations
• Workshops, webinars, and tours that allow farmers to learn from industry experts
• Networking opportunities, helping farmers connect with others in the region or sector to share knowledge
• These services empower farmers to make the right decisions regarding sustainable farming practices, environmental schemes, or business restructuring, depending on their needs.

How to access the fund

Defra has published a list of organisations by county, offering free help in your area. 

To access the support, farmers must be recipients of the BPS and apply through one of the designated providers.

The NFU has been instrumental in shaping the fund, lobbying Defra for wide geographical coverage and to ensure farmers can choose the most suitable provider for their needs.

With free, expert guidance, the fund helps farmers plan for the future, adapt to new policies, and ensure the long-term sustainability of their businesses.