Farmers in Northern Ireland are urged to apply for the 2026 Farming with Nature Transition Scheme, which offers up to £20,000, before the deadline on July 31.

The scheme offers farm businesses the opportunity to secure funds to undertake practical environmental improvements while supporting a more sustainable and resilient farming sector.

It forms part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

The scheme is "a key ministerial priority to support farmers in delivering environmental improvements", according to DAERA.

The second year of the scheme promises 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 two 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 seven-metre riparian buffer strips established under year one;
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 one or two business identification number.

Criteria

Farm businesses that applied in year one are welcome to apply again in year two.

Businesses that were unable to complete approved actions in year one may reapply for those actions, alongside any additional actions available in year two, provided no payment claim was submitted for the unfinished work.

As part of the wider Farming with Nature Package, the scheme is intended to help to expand nature-friendly farming across Northern Ireland.

Further information about Farming with Nature is available on the DAERA website.

DAERA advises that work on year two actions must not begin until applicants have received an approval notification.