Farmers across west Wales can now apply for grants of up to £50,000 to improve agricultural infrastructure and reduce on-farm pollution.

Applications opened on 29 October under the Welsh Government's Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) Optional Infrastructure and Equipment programme.

The grants cover 40% or 50% of eligible costs, depending on the investment, with awards ranging from £12,000 to £50,000 per application.

Support is available for projects including new or improved slurry storage, silage stores, roofing over yards, slurry transfer systems and equipment to manage nutrients more effectively.

To qualify, farm businesses must have submitted a claim under the SFS Universal Layer through their latest Single Application Form. Applications can be made through Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online.

The Welsh Government has set an indicative £6.5 million budget for the programme in 2027/28, with applications remaining open throughout the year rather than being restricted to short funding windows.

According to the scheme's guidance, the investment is intended to help farmers manage agricultural waste, reduce the risk of environmental pollution and improve how nutrients are used on farms.

Applicants will need to provide supporting evidence, including farm accounts, details of slurry-storage requirements and information about how proposed improvements will be funded.

Planning permission or sustainable drainage approval may also be necessary. Farmers have been advised to check requirements with their local authority before applying.

Work must not begin, and equipment must not be ordered, until a formal grant award letter has been issued.

The first selection round is scheduled for the end of January 2027, with further rounds expected monthly.

The application system is scheduled to remain available until March 2028, when it will temporarily close for updates.

Farmers can submit more than one application, although no more than two grant awards can be active at any one time.