Funding Opportunities for Farmers in 2026: Could Your Next Sumo Investment Be Grant Supported?
With rising input costs and increasing pressure to improve productivity while protecting soil health, grant funding remains a valuable opportunity for UK farmers looking to invest in machinery and technology.
Several funding schemes are currently available that may help support investment in cultivation equipment, precision technology, and sustainable farming practices, including the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF), Anglian Water Farming Innovation Grant, Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), and Severn Trent STEPS Grant.
At Sumo UK, we’re committed to helping farmers make informed investment decisions and maximise available funding opportunities.
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) – Latest Update
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has now moved into the next stage of the FETF 2026 process, with the first Grant Funding Agreements (GFAs) being issued.
In the first round alone, almost 7,000 successful applicants across the three funding themes will receive GFAs from Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
Have You Received Your GFA Email?
If you submitted an FETF application, receiving your GFA email confirmation from DEFRA is an important next step.
This confirmation is essential to:
- Progress your application
- Confirm grant approval
- Ensure eligibility for funding support
If you haven’t received your confirmation yet:
- Check your spam or junk folders
- Contact DEFRA for an update
If you have received your GFA and need support with the next steps, please contact your local Sumo dealer, who can help guide you through the process.
Which Sumo Machines Are Eligible?
Several Sumo machines and configurations align with the FETF scheme’s objectives around productivity, efficiency, and sustainable farming practices.
Eligible or grant-relevant equipment may include selected:
- Cultivation systems
- Precision seeding solutions
- Low disturbance equipment
- Soil improvement technology
Machines such as:
- DD – Direct Drill – FETF44
- Crimper (Green Crop Crimper) – FETF414
- Strake – Straw Rake / Residue Management Tool FETF208
- Stock Seeder – FETF207 (400L tank)
- Inter-Row Weeder 3m – FETF6
- Grassland Subsoiler – FETF112
- Grassland Aerator – FETF411
These systems help farmers:
- Reduce cultivation passes
- Lower fuel usage
- Improve soil structure
- Reduce compaction
- Improve crop establishment
Additional Grant Opportunities Available
FETF isn’t the only funding opportunity available to farmers in 2026.
Anglian Water Farming Innovation Grant
Farmers within selected Anglian Water drinking water catchments may also be eligible for funding through the Anglian Water Farming Innovation Grant.
This grant can support investment in new and used Sumo equipment, making it an excellent opportunity for farms looking to improve:
- Soil health
- Water infiltration
- Nutrient efficiency
- Runoff reduction
Budget is limited, and applications are currently prioritised within selected catchment areas.
The highlighted area below shows the current eligible Anglian Water grant region.
If you farm within this area, please contact your local:
- Sharmans depot, or
- Oliver Landpower depot
for further information and eligibility guidance.
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
The Sustainable Farming Incentive SFI rewards farmers for adopting sustainable land management practices.
This includes actions supporting:
- Soil health
- Cover cropping
- Organic matter improvement
- Reduced soil erosion
- Better water management
Sumo machinery supports many of these objectives by helping improve cultivation efficiency while protecting soil structure.
More information: SFI 2026 Guidance
Severn Trent STEPS Grant
The Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS) provides additional grant support to eligible farmers in selected catchments.
Funding focuses on:
- Improving water quality
- Reducing diffuse pollution
- Improving nutrient efficiency
- Protecting soil from runoff
Low-disturbance cultivation and soil management equipment can play an important role in meeting these objectives.
More information: Severn Trent STEPS Grant
Why Invest in Better Cultivation?
Good cultivation isn’t just about creating a seedbed, it’s about building long-term resilience.
The right machinery can help:
- Improve establishment
- Protect valuable topsoil
- Increase water infiltration
- Reduce operating costs
- Support grant compliance
At Sumo, our machines are designed to help farmers farm more efficiently while protecting the land for future generations.
Need Help?
If you’re exploring grant funding and want to understand which Sumo machines may be suitable for your farm, speak to your local Sumo dealer today.
We’re here to help you identify the right machinery and make the most of available funding opportunities.