Last Updated on March 24, 2026 by Sophie Wilesmith
Like before, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2026 will not include specific payments for Miscanthus, but it continues to be classified as a permanent crop within the scheme. Growers can access support through management actions applied to land where Miscanthus is established.
The scheme will open in two stages, with applications from June 2026 for smaller farms (3–50ha) and those without existing agreements, followed by a full rollout in September.
For Miscanthus growers, relevant actions include payments for avoiding insecticide use on permanent crops (£45/ha) – under the ‘No Use of Insecticides’ (CIPM4) action, and ‘Flower-Rich Grass Margins or In-Field Strips’ (CIPM2) action, further supporting biodiversity alongside the crop.
There are also several wider changes to be aware of. The annual management payment has been removed, total payments are now capped at £100,000 per business, and most agreements have been shortened from five years to three. Some actions, such as habitat strips, are also limited to a maximum of 25% of the farmed area.
To qualify, growers must have management control of at least 3ha of agricultural land, with payments made quarterly once agreements begin.
While Miscanthus does not attract a direct payment, it remains well-suited to low-input systems and can integrate effectively with SFI options focused on environmental delivery. It also stands up outside of subsidy, and is a profitable, long-term solution for farmers looking for stable alternatives.
