Everything you need to know about the Small Grants Efficiency Scheme March 2025

From the 6th of March until the 16th of April 2025, the Welsh government are offering rural grants – including a major £3,303 towards a brand-new borehole for your farming business. ‘The Small Grants – Efficiency scheme is a capital scheme designed to help farmers in Wales to improve the technical, financial and environmental performance of their farm businesses’

These small grant programs play a crucial role in empowering farmers, particularly those operating on a smaller scale, to enhance their efficiency and sustainability. By providing targeted financial support for essential equipment and technology, these initiatives enable farmers to invest in improvements that might otherwise be unattainable. Farmers can use these grants for new tools and equipment, making their farms more productive, environmentally friendly, and more secure.

With spring and summer approaching, this grant provides a significant opportunity to reduce water bills during their peak usage period. The timing of this grant’s launch, just ahead of the spring and summer seasons, is particularly advantageous. Not only can farms immediately alleviate the burden of rising water costs and secure a substantial discount from the Welsh government, but it also provides ample opportunity to complete any necessary installations before the critical spring period. This allows farmers to ensure the infrastructure of their borehole is fully operational and optimised to meet the increased water demands of livestock and crops during the most water-intensive months.

To streamline the process and maximise grant benefits, Drilling companies, including us at Dragon Drilling can complete a comprehensive borehole installation service, including drilling, manhole and groundworks and abstraction pump installation. Farmers can then finish it off themselves and integrate the new water supply into their farm’s existing system. This approach reduces our installation costs, allowing the grant to go further.

To access this funding, you simply have to

Show receipts that prove you bought and installed the system during the time the grant is active.
Send a picture of the finished system, with its location automatically marked on the photo.

Small grants do more than just provide funding—they help rural businesses improve. These programs enable investment in new ideas and increased efficiency. This contributes to a stronger, more sustainable future for agriculture. We encourage all operators, especially smaller ones, to explore these grants and grow their enterprises. Investing in efficiency benefits you, your community, and the future of the sector. See all the eligible items here.