The Environment Agency is looking for up to 12 further groups of 2-20 farmers and growers that want to strengthen their water resilience and apply for a fully-funded, expert-led, evaluation of how they can do that.
Over the past year, more than 100 farms took part in the 2024/25 programme, which identified a wide range of local solutions for 20 different farmer groups. Case studies from these are now available to view on the .听
We have seen the driest spring since 1956 and the outlook for the summer is uncertain as to whether it will remain dry or more unsettled, but the EA has downgraded the irrigation prospects from good to moderate.
This is in stark contrast to last year鈥檚 extreme wet weather and illustrates the variability in climate and consequent access to water.
The LRO (Local Resource Option) offer by the EA aims to deliver:
- A consultant-led assessment of the group鈥檚 local water challenges.
- Practical, costed options to improve your resilience.
- Improved collaboration with neighbouring farms and stakeholders on access to water.
Innovative and practical solutions
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos welcomed the new round of the funding adding that secure access to water for irrigation and livestock is a key ask of the NFU's blueprints for growth.听
鈥淚t is important that we have policies and funding that support on-farm water storage, investment in water-use efficiency on farm, and innovation in more water efficient crops and farming systems.鈥�
Ten of the new studies will be open nationally for just groups of farmers to apply and two will be open to groups that can include abstractors form other sectors (eg, manufacturing, leisure and tourism) but focused on the Cambridge area.听
Who can apply?
Farmers can apply for a screening study if they own the land or have a tenancy agreement with the landowner, plus:
- are a group of two or more neighbouring farms
- manage or operate arable, horticultural, aquaculture or livestock farms, including ornamentals or forestry nurseries, and
- currently abstract, or would like to abstract, water for irrigation or livestock husbandry located in England (you cannot apply with joint businesses or partnerships in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales).
You do not need to be a member of an existing water group to apply but there may be opportunities to work within existing networks such as farm clusters.
The EA and the NFU encourage agricultural abstractors to consider joining or starting a group in their area to improve their water resilience.
鈥�It is important that we have policies and funding that support on-farm water storage, investment in water-use efficiency on farm, and innovation in more water efficient crops and farming systems.鈥�
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos
For full details of how to apply visit the or contact [email protected]聽for more information.
