The Transformation Fund - What do I need to know?

Adding value is the final theme of the Farming Transformation Fund to be launched which is designed to add value to agricultural products after they have been harvested or reared. This is a £30 million fund offering grants from £25,000 to £300,000 for up to 40% of total project costs. The minimum total project cost is £62,500 and maximum £750,000.

Examples of projects include:

• Equipment for preparing or processing edible agricultural products for added value sales such as potatoes to crisps and milk to cheese.
• Equipment for second stage processing such as grading, blending and colour sorting.
• Equipment for processing non-edible agricultural products such as hemp, wool, hides and skins into new products.
• Equipment for retailing agricultural products such as milk vending machines.
• Premises for added value agricultural products such as associated integral storage areas.

This is a competitive fund with DEFRA looking for projects to also provide wider benefits. For example, to other businesses including collaborations or partnerships and, to the environment including using renewable energy, increasing use of sustainable packaging, increasing energy efficiency and, reducing energy and water usage.

If you would like to apply, there is a two-stage process:

1. In June 2022, an online eligibility and desirability checker will open for six weeks. This is to check how well your project fits the funding priorities and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
2. If your project scored highly in stage one, you will be invited to submit a full application before 31^st January 2024. The full application will include supporting documents for example, approved planning permission if required and quotes.

Need help with preparing your application? Contact your nearest Ceres Rural office, for a no obligation consultation.