Rural Payments Agency
Basic Payment Scheme
An annual payment acting as a safety net for farmers and crofters who actively farm eligible land and hold payment entitlements. Also includes an optional Young Farmer payment in Scotland.
What it pays for
Conditions to know about
Applicants must be at least 16, declare at least three hectares of eligible land, actively farm the land on 15 May, and meet cross compliance conditions. Payments are made between 1 December and 30 June. Young Farmer payment requires a farmer under 41 and minimum three hectares in Scotland; amounts are not stated as fixed figures.
How to apply
Applications go through the funder. Read their page for the full rules and the form.
Check if you can apply
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Source: Scottish Government Rural Payments: all schemes. Last checked 11 Nov 2026. Read from the funder’s page by AI, with each key fact checked against the page text.
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Listed under Farming and land, Scotland
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