Don’t miss out on SFI funding: Check your eligibility and land details
Update your Digital Map
- Before applying, you must ensure your digital maps are accurate and up to date. If they are not up to date, it may cause problems with your application or cause you to miss out on funding.
- Log into your Rural Payments service account here: https://www.ruralpayments.service.gov.uk/customer-account/login
- First, make sure the digital map of your land is up to date.
- From the ‘Your businesses and messages’ page, select ‘View business’, for the business you want to check.
- From the ‘Business overview’ page, select ‘Land’, then select ‘View land’.
- Click on each parcel and view the ‘Parcel details’.
- Click on each parcel and view the ‘Parcel details’.
- From the ‘Business overview’ page, select ‘Land’, then select ‘View land’.
- From the ‘Your businesses and messages’ page, select ‘View business’, for the business you want to check.
- Make sure the details reflect what is physically on the ground. That includes checking it shows:
- all the land parcels you want to include in your SFI application
- the correct total area (in hectares) for each land parcel
- the correct land covers for each parcel
- To do so, you may need to walk your land beforehand to record the land covers of each parcel and to measure your lengths and areas, such as by using a measurement wheel, digital mapping systems, or GPS. When walking your land, also note down the land use codes for each of your parcels.
- If you need to update your digital map, such as to account for new boundaries, use the online mapping system or submit an RLE1 form. Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/digital-maps-in-the-rural-payments-service-check-and-change-mapping-updates
- Online guidance can be found on the RPA webpages - Rural Payments service: how to register land and update digital maps
- The RPA YouTube channel has a 6-video playlist featuring a collection of "how to" videos for the Rural Land Change Requests
If you need to use a RLE1 form, guidance in available in writing here: How to complete an RLE1 form.
You can also watch a video walk-though on the RPA YouTube channel: RLE1 form: how to register land and update digital maps
Update your Land Uses
- In your Rural Payments service account, each of your land parcels is assigned a land use code that matches how you are managing it.
- Before applying for SFI, you need to ensure each of your parcels is registered with the correct land-use code, because land use codes must match the activity on that land and be compatible with the SFI actions you choose.
- If your land-use codes are not up to date when applying, it can lead to you missing out on funding that you’re eligible for or potentially facing payment delays and recoveries.
- You can find details about each land use code here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/land-use-codes-for-rural-payments/land-use-codes
- To update your land use codes, sign into the Rural Payments service, navigate to the Land section, then the Update Land Use section, where you can check and change your declared land use codes for each parcel to match what is on the ground.
Not sure how to use land use codes? You can find online guidance here: Guidance: Land use codes
Check your registered contact details are up to date
Check your registered contact details are up to date in the Rural Payments service. The RPA will use your registered business details, including your business email address, to contact you about your SFI application and agreement.
View the RPA video guides to updating your account details here.
Check you have the correct permission to apply for SFI
You need to have the correct permission to apply for an SFI agreement for your business (SBI). You need to have one of the following permissions:
- ‘Business Details: Full’
- ‘BPS: Submit’
- ‘CS Applications: Submit’
If you do not have one of these permissions, you need to ask someone with ‘Business Details: Full’ permission to give you the correct permission. If you want someone else to apply on your behalf, such as an agent, you need to check they’re registered with the RPA in the Rural Payments service and give them the correct permission to apply for an SFI agreement.
Measure accurately
- You are responsible for the accuracy of all measurements in your application.
- Don’t assume old measurements are still accurate.
- Use reliable methods such as GPS tools, mapping software or measurement wheels to measure your boundaries and the areas of land you intend to implement an action.
Avoid estimating. Getting measurements wrong is a common cause of farmers under-delivering SFI actions. For example, if you agree to provide 0.5ha of CNUM3 (Legume fallow) but only provide 0.3ha, that would represent a shortfall in the agreed quantity and would therefore be a breach of your SFI agreement. Breaching your agreement can result in payment delays and recoveries. Inaccurate measurements can also mean you miss out on funding. For example, if you agree to provide 0.5ha of CNUM3 (Legume fallow) but provide 0.7ha, you will only receive payment for 0.5ha.
MAGIC Maps is a free mapping service managed by Natural England in partnership with Defra, Historic England, the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Marine Management Organisation, and has a measurement tool you can access through your web browser.
Why is it important to get this right?
- Ensuring your records are correct at the point of application reduces the risk of issues during your agreement. It also helps you maximise the value of your agreement and remain compliant with scheme requirements.
- If your digital maps are wrong, or your measurements inaccurate, when you submit your SFI application it may result in:
- Missing additional funding by not applying for eligible actions or areas
- Applying for actions on ineligible land
- Payments being delayed, reduced or withheld
- Recovery of payments where overclaims occur
Existing Agreement Holders
- If you already have an SFI agreement, you must ensure that land details linked to your agreement remain accurate and eligible throughout its duration. You should review and update your records where land use or conditions change.
Further resources:
The Defra Farming Blog - SFI26: details, definitions and what to expect explains what to expect from the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer in 2026 and shares the list of the 71 actions available in the new offer, with payment rates.