If nothing else, this summer has shown that improving food resilience is essential if we are to survive – so a new water resilience grant scheme for farmers and growers in the region is very timely.Funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the scheme to boost water resilience countywide is delivered by Water Resources East and Cambridgeshire County Council as part of its water efficiency agenda.Carrots growing in healthy soilFarmers, growers and horticultural businesses across Cambridgeshire can now apply for grants of between £2,000 and £50,000 from a £1.3million grant scheme designed to improve water efficiency, strengthen resilience to drought and support sustainable food production.Water supply in the region has long been flagged up as inadequate to the challenge of building tens of thousands of new homes – along with population rises and the climate change challenges which this month lost farm estates across south-west France and Spain to wildfire. Fires have destroyed 100,000 acres of land in France following the outbreak of wildfires, and in Spain 295,000 acres have been lost since the fires commenced on 22 July – and a fire is currently raging at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, just 75 miles east of Cambridge.A major incident has been declared following a fire at Dunwich Heath. Picture: Suffolk Fire and Rescue ServiceDaniel Johns, managing director at Water Resources East, said: “Water availability is becoming an increasing challenge for agricultural businesses across the region. This scheme provides a practical opportunity for farmers and growers to invest in solutions that improve water efficiency, strengthen resilience and support sustainable food production for the future.”The first window for applications for the scheme is now open to agricultural and horticultural businesses operating within Cambridgeshire. Applications will be reviewed at three intervals, based on applications received before midnight on: 27 September 2026, 29 November 2026 and 17 January 2027.Cllr Ros Hathorn, chair of the environment and green investment committee at Cambridgeshire County Council. Picture: Hannah Brown, LDRCllr Ros Hathorn, chair of the environment and green investment committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “With our farmers and growers facing hotter, drier summers, we want to support them to create a balanced, long-term approach to water management and make the sector more resilient to these pressures.“This funding will enable farmers and growers to take practical action to improve water resilience while supporting the sustainable management of our water resources. Local projects such as this highlight our work to support a green and sustainable county, by managing the effects of a changing climate securing the future of water, food and farming.”Further information, including eligibility guidance and the application form, is available here.
Water resilience grant scheme set up for farmers and growers
