Over 3,500 Scottish farmers will share £18m for farm equipment under the Sustainable Agriculture Capital Grant Scheme. The scheme offers 50% grants from a menu of equipment designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and increase farm efficiency.

Only 235 applicants were unsuccessful after Rural Economy Minister Fergus Ewing increased the budget from £10m to £18m. The scheme has been seen as a pilot on how future government support could be delivered to farmers outside the EU. Successful applicants have until 21 December 2020 to accept their offer, following which they will have until 31 March 2021 to purchase the equipment and claim the grant.