What is an SBI number for farmers, and how do I get one?
Your SBI is the RPA's Single Business Identifier for your farm business. What it's for, how it differs from a CRN, how to register and find yours.
Last checked against gov.uk
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Applies to farm businesses registered with the Rural Payments Agency in England. Not to be confused with the State Bank of India.
Short answer
An SBI (Single Business Identifier) is the number the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) uses for your farm business. You need one to apply for schemes such as SFI. Your registered fields are linked to it. You get one by registering your business with the RPA, in the Rural Payments service.
What is a Single Business Identifier (SBI)?
It is the RPA's reference for a farm business. The SFI26 scheme rules (opens in a new tab) talk about "each farm business, as identified by its Single Business Identifier (SBI)". Land you register on the Rural Payments service is linked to your SBI. You do this with the add land service (opens in a new tab).
What is the difference between an SBI and a CRN?
| SBI | CRN | |
|---|---|---|
| Stands for | Single Business Identifier | Customer reference number |
| Identifies | Your farm business | You, as a person using the Rural Payments service |
| Used for | Applying for schemes and linking fields (land parcels) | Signing in to the Rural Payments service |
When you register for a Rural Payments account (opens in a new tab), "you'll be given a customer reference number (CRN) and a 6-digit security code to set up a password". After you sign in, you register your business as a separate step.
How do I get an SBI if I don't have one?
- Call the Rural Payments helpline on 03000 200 301 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, except bank holidays) to register for an account. You'll get a CRN and a security code (GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)).
- Sign in to the Rural Payments service for the first time.
- Register your business. That is when the business gets its SBI.
- Register your fields (the RPA calls them land parcels) and link them to your SBI (GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)).
For SFI26, your business had to be registered with the RPA when you started an application. So it had to have an SBI (section 3.3 (opens in a new tab)).
Where do I find my SBI?
Your SBI belongs to your business in the Rural Payments service. Can't find it? Ask the Rural Payments helpline on 03000 200 301. Does an agent or adviser deal with the RPA for you? They will usually have it on file.
What can I do with my SBI?
- Apply for schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive. SFI26 needed at least 3 hectares of agricultural land linked to your SBI.
- Link registered fields to your business.
- Let an app you choose fetch your fields, if you agree. Then you don't have to draw them.
Is it safe to give my SBI to a farm app?
Only give it to an app you trust. Read what you are agreeing to. In AgriSync, typing your SBI does nothing on its own. You tick a permission box first. The box says:
“I agree that AgriSync may retrieve the land parcel, land cover and hedge records registered to my Single Business Identifier (SBI) from Defra's Rural Payments Agency, and store them in my AgriSync account so my fields can be set up and monitored. I can withdraw this consent from Settings; withdrawal stops future retrieval and removes the fetched boundaries that have not been edited by me.”
AgriSync reads your land data. It cannot apply for schemes, change your RPA maps or send anything for you. You can withdraw the permission in Settings under Permissions you have given.
Common questions
Is an SBI the same as a CRN?
No. The CRN (customer reference number) identifies you as a person signing in to the Rural Payments service. The SBI identifies your farm business.
Do I need an SBI to use AgriSync?
No. If you don't have one, choose "I don't have an SBI — draw my fields instead" during set-up and draw your field boundaries on the map.
How many digits is an SBI?
AgriSync's set-up form expects a 9-digit SBI. If yours doesn't fit, check it with the Rural Payments helpline.
What is the Rural Payments helpline number?
03000 200 301, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, except bank holidays.
Sources
Every source was checked on 25 October 2026. If something has changed, tell us at info@agrisync.co.uk.
- 1.Register and update your details with the Rural Payments Agency (opens in a new tab), GOV.UKLast updated 2 October 2026
- 2.Register rural land on the Rural Payments service (opens in a new tab), GOV.UKPublished 8 August 2024
- 3.Rural Payments: use the add land service to link registered land to your business (opens in a new tab), GOV.UK
- 4.SFI26: scheme rules and guidance (opens in a new tab), GOV.UKv4.0, August 2026 (page updated 23 September 2026)
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