Rural Support Plan (RSP) - Annex

Small Producer Pilot Fund

Small Producers Info Hub

Description

1) Small Producers Practical Training Fund; 2) Grant funding to abattoirs and QSM to facilitate private kill services to small producers; 3) Funding to maintain and improve the Small Producers Info Hub website; 4) Funding for the Smallholders Festival; 5) SPPF Capital Fund

Purpose

Scottish Government is committed to a thriving and diverse rural Scotland. The Small Producer Pilot Fund (SPPF) provides funding to active individual small producers, groups of small producers and relevant ecosystem businesses to enable them to better contribute to delivering the Vision of Agriculture. It does this by strengthening local food networks and community partnerships; enhancing the viability of small producers while improving collaboration between small producers, processors and consumers. This leads to stronger business viability, increased animal welfare, and continued contribution to local communities, and enables participants to expand their knowledge and skills, furthering their ability to produce high quality food in a viable and sustainable way.

Contribution to Strategic Outcomes

High Quality Food Production

• SPPF increases knowledge in quality good production and facilitates abattoir viability and their participation in the local food chain.
• SPPF increases knowledge in good animal husbandry and increases animal welfare.
• SPPF supports the viability of small farming/crofting businesses with training, knowledge exchange, and abattoir provision.
• Pilot projects empower communities to test and refine local food systems to enhance food resilience.
• Small producers are better equipped to produce food that meets environmental, welfare, and quality standards through the SPPF.

Enabling Thriving Rural Communities

• Small producers gain access to targeted support mechanisms that are tailored to their scale and needs. Area-based models are complemented or replaced with more meaningful, inclusive approaches for small producers.
• SPPF facilitates small producer viability and increased participation in local economies, rural communities, and the rural economy, strengthening rural SME ecosystems. Including supporting increased engagement through practical business skills training and information provisions through the Small Producers Info Hub.

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

• SPPF increases knowledge in nature restoration and climate mitigation and adaption. Delivery through practical training and knowledge exchange, including at the Scottish Smallholder Festival.

Nature Restoration

• SPPF increases knowledge and practical training in nature restoration.

Support for a Just Transition

• Scottish agriculture increases its diversity by empowering small producers to play a central role in rural development and climate-conscious agriculture.
• SPPF initiatives reflect the Scottish Government’s commitment to equity, sustainability, and rural prosperity.
• SPPF increases knowledge in sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices for smaller producers ensuring no one is left behind.
• Increased accessibility and relevance of agricultural support

Method

procurements and grants

Key dates

2025/2026 financial year

Eligibility

• Have a holding no larger than 30 hectares (excluding common grazing); no minimum size.
• Are active with an annual turnover of less than £2 million.
• Have a Business Reference Number (BRN).
• Have a primary business producing raw materials or food and drink for sale.
• Have less than 10 employees, including seasonal and self-employed workers but excluding apprentices and volunteers.
• Groups of smallholders and individual businesses who directly support groups of smallholders. If this is a business that supports individual small producers, they need to be able to demonstrate link between their service and the eligible small producers using it.
• For abattoir grants, you must be an abattoir operating in Scotland and serving/willing to serve small producers.
• Available Scotland wide.

Requirements

• You must adhere to grant conditions

Baseline payment information:

Budget: circa £1M

No. of recipients: not including croft business numbers up to 20,250 individuals identified in the system and an estimated 12,000 economically active.