There are several government schemes that can help fund precision agriculture services on your farm. Here's what's available and how HarvestHawk fits in.
We know that trying a new service is a big decision, especially when margins are tight. The good news is that the UK government is actively investing in precision agriculture, and several grant schemes can help cover the cost of drone services, mapping, and technology adoption.
We've done the research so you don't have to. Below are the most relevant schemes for farmers looking to use drone spraying, seeding, crop mapping, or other precision services. We're happy to talk you through any of them.
SFI 2026 is the big one. It rewards farmers for delivering measurable environmental outcomes including soil health, nutrient efficiency, and habitat enhancement. The scheme has been simplified for 2026, with the number of actions reduced from 102 to 71 to cut duplication and make it easier to use.
HarvestHawk's services align directly with many SFI actions. Drone crop mapping provides the data-rich, evidence-backed reporting the scheme rewards. Precision fertiliser application supports nutrient management plans. And our Hawk Greener Growing programme helps you demonstrate the environmental outcomes SFI is looking for.
The FETF provides capital grants specifically for precision tools, monitoring systems, robotics, and digital technologies. With a total budget of £50 million across three themes, it's designed to help farmers invest in equipment that improves productivity and environmental performance.
While individual farmers may use FETF to purchase their own precision equipment, the scheme also supports the broader adoption of precision agriculture. If you're considering investing in drone technology or mapping systems, FETF could help offset the cost. Either way, HarvestHawk can deliver the precision services these tools enable, whether you own the equipment or use our service.
Opening in July 2026, the Capital Grants scheme offers up to £225 million to support farmers, land managers, and rural businesses to deliver environmental improvements across England. This includes tree planting, hedgerow restoration, and water quality improvements.
HarvestHawk's drone mapping services can support Capital Grant applications by providing detailed aerial surveys, boundary mapping, and before-and-after evidence of environmental work. Our crop mapping and NDVI data can also help demonstrate the environmental outcomes these grants are designed to achieve.
Countryside Stewardship continues to support environmental land management with grants for cover cropping, soil health, erosion control, and habitat creation. Many of these actions benefit directly from precision drone services.
Drone seeding for cover crops delivers even coverage on difficult terrain where traditional drilling can't reach. Crop mapping helps monitor soil health improvements over time, providing the evidence Countryside Stewardship agreements increasingly require. And precision fertiliser application supports nutrient management and reduced input actions.
The information on this page is provided as general guidance and was accurate at the time of writing (June 2026). Grant schemes, eligibility criteria, and application windows can change. We always recommend checking the official GOV.UK pages for the latest details, or speaking to your local farming advisor. HarvestHawk is not a grant advisor, but we're always happy to talk through how our services align with the schemes you're applying for.
Get in touch and we'll help you work out which schemes could apply to your farm. Set pricing per acre, no hidden fees.