Farm Business Improvement Scheme - Capital Scheme (FBIS-C)
The Farm Business Improvement Scheme (FBIS) is a package of measures aimed at improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the farming sector. FBIS is an important part of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 to 2020 and is being rolled out in a phased way.
Introduction to the Scheme
The Capital Scheme has two separate tiers – Tier 1 and Tier 2
Tier 1 includes on-farm investment projects from £5,000 to a maximum of £30,000 project costs, and is aimed primarily at encouraging farmers to invest in equipment and machinery that will improve the sustainability of their businesses (i.e. environmental performance, health and safety, animal health and welfare).
The grant rate of funding for both tiers in the Scheme is 40% of eligible costs.
Tier 1
Tier 1 Tranche 4 opened for applications on 27 September 2022 and will close at 4pm on 11 November 2022.
The objective of Tier 1 is to improve the sustainability of farms in Northern Ireland. It will provide support for farmers and growers to invest in equipment and machinery that will help realise improvements in efficiency, environmental practice, animal health and welfare, and health and safety, associated with modern farming practices.
Tier 1 is for projects costing from £5,000 - £30,000 (eligible costs) and is primarily aimed at the purchase of off the shelf equipment and machinery.
For more information on how to apply to Tier 1 Tranche 4, please click here.
Tier 2
Please note that Tranche 2 of Tier 2 closed for applications on 20 May 2022 at 4pm.
The focus of Tier 2 is on larger-scale investment to encourage a step change in the agriculture and horticulture sectors, and to drive transformational investment in future proofed, fit-for-purpose, modern infrastructure and equipment, guided by a robust business planning process within assisted farms.
Tier 2 is for projects costing from £30,000 - unlimited (within the overall maximum grant limit of £250,000 available under the NI Rural Development Programme 2014-20) and is primarily for construction projects and the purchase of higher value equipment linked to the needs in the farmer’s business plan.
Contact
If you have a query or wish to contact us about the Farm Business Improvement Scheme – Capital Scheme, please follow the instructions at the link below:
FBIS Capital Scheme - contact details