Devon farmers set to receive part of £30m fund for sustainable farming
New government fund aims to enhance farm productivity and sustainability across Devon
Devon’s farmers are in line for a share of a £30million government cash handout aimed at making their farms more resilient and productive.
The new Farmer Collaboration Fund is also designed to help farmers make their businesses more sustainable for the future.
Farming leaders have welcomed the fund, saying it should be used to support all sectors including livestock, arable and horticulture businesses.
Now the Combined County Authority (CCA) covering Devon has resolved to bid for just over £1million of the funding to be spent in the county.
A report to the CCA explained that the fund aims to support farmers, land managers and growers to manage land in a productive, nature friendly and sustainable way.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will provide the funds to ‘lead partners’ such as the CCA to work with groups of farmers. There are 19 farmer collaboration groups in Devon.
“This is a brand new fund which is coming through,” said Torbay Council leader David Thomas (Con, Preston), who also chairs the CCA. “It’s a good news story for Devon.”
Torridge District Council leader Ken James (Ind, Milton and Tamarside) added: “Farming is changing and it is becoming more environment-friendly.
“I am really pleased to see this.”
The CCA vote unanimously to go ahead with its bid for a share of the government cash.
The Devon and Torbay CCA was created in 2025 as part of a government move to shift decision-making powers and funding away from central government into the hands of local leaders.
It makes Devon home to one of the first non-mayoral rural devolution partnerships in England. Plymouth originally declined to join but has since changed its mind, and with the ‘Ocean City’ on board, a Devon-wide CCA would be regarded as a potential ‘quick win’ for a government looking to create a nationwide network of mayoral authorities.
If so, elections for a Devon mayor could take place as early as September 2027.