An innovation fund worth £5m will boost rural productivity, says the government.

Grants are available under the latest phase of the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-agri) scheme.

Funding can be used to boost productivity in the livestock, arable, horticultural and forestry sectors and create ground-breaking new technology – unlocking innovation in the farming industry.

Grants worth between £5,000 and £150,000 will be available for projects for up to three years to encourage new farming techniques, and encourage farming and forestry sustainability.

Defra minister George Eustice said: "This fund will enable groups to come together to test and implement exciting new ideas to solve problems and increase farm and forest productivity.

"By looking to other sectors, such as medicine, for inspiration and knowledge transfer, it facilitates even greater innovation.

"I look forward to seeing the interesting work that will follow to boost and protect rural productivity."

Several workshops are due to take place throughout September for operational groups looking to submit an application.

They will encourage groups of potential applicants to share and test out new ideas and learn more about forming their proposals.

Operational groups of two or more members made up of farmers, forest managers, researchers, businesses and NGOs from across the country are welcome to apply for grants.

For full details, click here.