Exploring New Agroforestry Actions Available Through Government Subsidies Under the Sustainable Farming Initiative
Earlier this year, the government finally announced new agroforestry actions available through the Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI), a government scheme designed to promote sustainable agriculture. Agroforestry—deliberate tree planting combined with food production—offers numerous environmental benefits, including:
Soil erosion reduction
Improved water and air quality
Shelter for livestock and crops
Flood risk reduction
Enhanced food, fuel, and timber production potential
Increased biodiversity
Carbon capture and storage
Improved climate change resilience
The aim of these new actions is to encourage farmers and land managers to plant more trees in suitable locations and manage existing woodlands effectively.
New Agroforestry Actions
To promote agroforestry across various tree densities, the government is introducing two main types of systems under the SFI:
Silvoarable: Trees planted at wide spacings and intercropped with cereal, horticultural, or other crops.
Silvopastoral: Trees combined with forage and grassland for livestock production.
The flexibility in tree arrangements and densities allows farmers to tailor their systems to their unique circumstances. Lower tree density options facilitate agroforestry on land with minimal sensitivity to tree planting, enabling farmers to engage in tree planting without needing Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). This accessibility is particularly beneficial for tenant farmers, provided they check their tenancy agreements.
Density Offers Under SFI
The government is introducing low and very-low density agroforestry maintenance offers to ensure a wide range of farmers can participate:
Very low density in-field agroforestry is defined as 30-50 stems per hectare
Low density in-field agroforestry is defined as being 51-130 stems per hectare
The payments available depend on the sensitivity of the land (which could trigger an environmental impact assessment) are as follows:
Maintain very low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land: 3 years at £248 per ha.
Maintain very low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land: 10 years at £248 per ha.
Maintain low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land: 3 years at £385 per ha.
Maintain low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land: 10 years at £385 per ha.
Higher density actions (for more than 130 trees per hectare) are yet to be made available for those looking to maximise the benefits of agroforestry and who are already experienced in implementing these practices.
Improvements to Countryside Stewardship
In addition to the new agroforestry actions, the government has made several improvements to the Countryside Stewardship (CS) offer for trees and woodlands:
Minimum threshold reduced from 3ha to 0.5ha, allowing more farmers to access funding.
Increased payment rates to better reflect the costs incurred by woodland managers.
Simplified processes and the removal of deadlines for Woodland Management Plans.
Expansion of the range of supplements with 8 new actions available.
Supporting Woodland Creation
The government will continue to support woodland creation through the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO), focusing on initiatives such as riparian planting and enhancing public access and engagement with woodlands to promote public health and wellbeing.
Conclusion
The introduction of these new agroforestry actions and improvements to existing schemes reflects the government's aim to provide further funding to farmers to aid in the goal of achieving net zero, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting environmental sustainability in agriculture. All farmers and land managers are encouraged to explore these opportunities and consider how integrating agroforestry can benefit their land and contribute to a more sustainable future.
For more details on these actions and how to apply, please visit the SFI website or contact us for assistance!