Saturday, 04 October 2025
More than £4.6 million in funding has been approved for farmers in Northern Ireland under the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme, a key step in scaling up nature-friendly farming as part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme. A New Chapter in Environmental Land Management Launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the […]
More than £4.6 million in funding has been approved for farmers in Northern Ireland under the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme, a key step in scaling up nature-friendly farming as part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme.
Launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the scheme supports farmers to implement practical, on-the-ground environmental actions that both enhance biodiversity and contribute to the UK’s broader net-zero and climate resilience goals.
The initiative aims to increase habitat areas on farmland, protect watercourses, improve biodiversity, and sequester carbon, all while ensuring farms remain productive and economically viable.
“Protecting and restoring our natural environment is one of my key priorities,” said Minister Andrew Muir, who announced the funding.
“The environmental actions to be carried out through this first scheme in the Farming with Nature Package will support habitat creation to deliver environmental public good, alongside food production.”
Schemes like Farming with Nature echo approaches being taken across Europe and beyond. The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the UK’s Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) are moving toward “public money for public goods”, funding farmers to deliver outcomes like cleaner water, healthier soils, and greater biodiversity.
This puts Northern Ireland in step with global agricultural reform, shifting from traditional subsidy models to ones that reward sustainable land stewardship.
736 applications have already been approved, with funding totalling £4.66 million.
Farmers can undertake a wide range of environmental actions, supported by funding for necessary items.
The current phase is part of a wider Farming with Nature Package, with the next application round planned for 2026.
Farmers may receive up to £9,500 in the 2026 phase to support additional environmental measures.
The scheme supports a variety of practical nature-based interventions, including:
Creation of riparian buffer strips to protect and improve water quality.
Planting of new hedgerows, enhancing habitats for nesting birds and supporting biodiversity.
Green infrastructure projects that promote ecosystem services such as pollination and soil health.
Carbon sequestration actions to contribute to climate change mitigation.
DAERA has notified all applicants of the outcome of their submissions via the DAERA messaging service. Farmers are reminded to only carry out approved actions upon receiving confirmation and to follow the specifications outlined.
There are still 87 applications undergoing final validation checks. These applicants will receive updates directly regarding the status of their submissions.
Minister Muir confirmed that the scheme is just the first phase in a broader vision to expand nature-friendly farming across Northern Ireland.
“It is encouraging that the scheme has such a strong uptake showing there is a demand within the farming community to do more for nature,” the Minister added.
“My officials are working at pace to develop further phases of the Farming with Nature package to realise my ambition to scale up nature-friendly farming across Northern Ireland.”
The climate and biodiversity crises are deeply interconnected. In Northern Ireland, over 90% of land is used for agriculture, making the sector critical in reversing nature loss. Initiatives like the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme offer practical pathways for farmers to be part of the solution, not just reducing harm, but actively restoring ecosystems, capturing carbon, and reviving wildlife populations.
With continued habitat loss globally, these local interventions contribute to international commitments, including the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 target.
The Farming with Nature Transition Scheme marks a major milestone in integrating environmental stewardship into agricultural practice. By supporting farmers in taking measurable, impactful steps to enhance biodiversity and protect natural resources, this initiative demonstrates a powerful model for sustainable farming, one that benefits both the land and the livelihoods that depend on it.
Implementing nature-friendly practices requires knowledge, tools, and support. While the current scheme provides financial assistance, building long-term capacity within the farming community is equally important.
Potential future actions may include:
Peer-to-peer learning networks to share successes and challenges.
Training programmes and field days focused on habitat creation and ecological monitoring.
Mentoring for younger farmers, encouraging generational change in attitudes toward land stewardship.
This cultural shift, toward valuing nature as an asset, not an obstacle, is critical for lasting impact.
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