Gone in 308 minutes: What SFI26 allocation tells us about funding for farmers
The funding pot for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) was allocated in a matter of hours earlier this week, leaving farmers across England questioning a system that feels like a lottery. Our CEO, Joseph Gridley, comments:
"There will be a lot said over the coming days about the SFI window that was opened and then quickly closed this week for farmers, with 100% of the £233m pot allocated in just a few hours.
What it demonstrates is the huge appetite farmers have for actions that are going to increase resilience, nature and the overall public good of a farm. After the extreme summer we have just had, it’s no surprise that everyone is looking at how they can make their land, and farming system more resilient to these kind of events.
The rush to take advantage of this valuable funding reveals the failings of the operational system behind SFI right now. Opening, and then quickly closing, akin to a Glastonbury ticket sale is no way to run a programme like this. Farmers were well prepared, but most can't just drop everything to scramble in a race to get their applications in. Reviewing how the scheme is both administered, and also where the money is being spent, so that it has the biggest impact, is vital.
The uncomfortable reality is that that we know that government schemes like SFI can't do all the heavy lifting. The whole food system needs to also step up and rally around farming. We need new privately funded schemes and programmes that support farmers in the face of a very rapidly changing climate.
Big business and other entities in the food supply chain need to be brave - and recognise the long term benefits of creating programmes that help transition farmers - with advice, support and financial incentives. Programmes that are built around what farmers actually need. It's good for our long term food security, and good for their supply chain risk management. With much wider benefits for our rural communities and nature. The challenge is how quickly the food chain can move…"
Joseph Gridley CEO, Soil Association Exchange
Comments