Farmers across Northern Ireland are being urged to act now and apply for the 2026 Farming with Nature Transition Scheme before applications close at 5pm on 31 July 2026.
The Scheme offers farm businesses the opportunity to secure up to £20,000 to undertake practical environmental improvements while supporting a more sustainable and resilient farming sector. Following a successful Year 1, the 2026 Scheme includes new actions, greater flexibility and expanded eligibility, giving more farmers the opportunity to benefit.
The Scheme forms part of DAERA’s Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) and is a key Ministerial priority to support farmers in delivering environmental improvements.
Building on the success of Year 1, Year 2 of the Scheme offers farm businesses greater choice and flexibility to invest in practical nature-friendly actions, with enhancements introduced following feedback from farmers and stakeholders.
Key changes for Year 2 include:
- Eligibility extended to include active Environmental Farming Scheme agreement holders;
- Introduction of eight additional actions, including three new arable field margins, two herbal leys and three management actions for hedgerows, trees and 7 m riparian buffer strips established under Year 1;
- Farm businesses can apply for up to £20,000 to undertake environmental actions this year, and there is no minimum application value.
To be eligible, applicants must have a DAERA Category 1 or 2 Business Identification Number.
Farm businesses that applied in Year 1 are welcome to apply again in Year 2. Businesses that were unable to complete approved actions in Year 1 may reapply for those actions, alongside any additional actions available in Year 2, provided no payment claim was submitted for the unfinished work.
As part of the wider Farming with Nature Package, the scheme is helping to expand nature-friendly farming across Northern Ireland. Further information about the Farming with Nature Package is available on the DAERA website: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/sap-payment-schemes#toc-2.
Approval notifications for the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme will issue through DAERA Message. Applicants should check their email regularly, including junk mail.
Work on Year 2 actions must not begin until you have received an approval notification.
Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and how to videos, is available at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/farming-nature-package
Applications can be made via an online application, which can be accessed through: https://www2.daera-ni.gov.uk/AuthWeb/auth/login/DAERAOnlineServices/2/(external link opens in a new window / tab)
For assistance, please contact: FarmingwithNature@daera-ni.gov.uk
Alternatively, call 0300 200 7848, select 2 for Grants and Funding, then Select 2 to speak to the Farming with Nature Team.
Further information on the Sustainable Agriculture Programme is available from the DAERA website: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/sustainable-agriculture-programme.
source: DAERA
