The UK government is launching a £30 million fund aimed at helping farmers work together, reduce costs and strengthen their businesses as the agricultural sector faces mounting economic
and environmental pressures.
The Farmer Collaboration Fund, which will open for applications in September, will support farmer-led projects focused on sharing expertise, improving productivity and developing more sustainable farming practices.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds is expected to announce the initiative at the Great Yorkshire Show on 16 July, saying cooperation between farmers will be key to securing the future of the sector.
The fund will provide support for peer learning, specialist advice on issues such as soil management, local facilitators and the creation of new farmer networks.
The government said closer cooperation could help farmers manage shared risks, lower operating costs and improve the health of soil and water resources while increasing the resilience of rural businesses.
One example highlighted by officials is a group of farmers in the Cotswolds who have worked together to improve soil quality, exchange knowledge and explore ways to increase farm income through better land management.
The initiative forms part of the government’s Farming Roadmap, a wider strategy aimed at boosting innovation, productivity and sustainability across the agricultural sector.
“Farmers across the country have told me how important collaboration and innovation are to the future of farming,” Reynolds said.
“Through our £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund, we are helping farmers work together, share expertise and build stronger, more profitable businesses.”
The scheme will be delivered through organisations including charities, local authorities and non-governmental groups, with the government promising to reduce administrative requirements so farmers can focus on practical cooperation.
Alongside the new fund, ministers are also increasing support for farmer wellbeing, with a new £1.5 million Farmer Welfare Grant due to open for applications on 6 August.
The three-year programme will back projects designed to improve farmers’ personal and business resilience, complementing broader government efforts to support a more sustainable and competitive agricultural industry. Photo by Pam Brophy, Wikimedia commons.
