SFI words explained

Action

One piece of work that SFI pays for, like a winter cover crop or a flower margin. SFI26 has 71 actions.

Each action has its own rate and its own proof to keep. See SFI26 payment rates.

Agreement

Your contract with the RPA to do SFI actions. SFI26 agreements usually last 3 years.

You keep proof for at least 7 years after it ends.

Agronomist

A crop adviser who helps you decide what to grow and how to look after it.

In AgriSync you can share a farm with your agronomist and take access back any time.

Annual declaration

A yearly statement you make to the RPA, through the Rural Payments service, about your agreement.

AgriSync does not make it for you. It keeps your records ready.

APK

An Android app file you download straight from a website, not from the Play Store.

The AgriSync Android app is an APK from agrisync.co.uk for now. See the AgriSync app.

Audit PDF

AgriSync's one-file record of a farm: every field's checks and the photos behind them.

Handy when an inspector or your agent asks to see your records.

BASIS and FACTS

Professional registers for advisers. BASIS covers crop protection. FACTS covers fertiliser advice.

Advisers can add their number to their AgriSync account.

Browser

The program you use to visit websites, like Chrome, Edge or Safari.

The AgriSync web app works in any browser at app.agrisync.co.uk.

Countryside Stewardship (CS)

Another government scheme that pays for environmental work. Its higher tier is called CSHT.

See SFI or Countryside Stewardship?.

CRN

Customer Reference Number. The number you use, with a password, to sign in to the Rural Payments service.

It is a different number from your SBI.

Defra

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The government department that runs farming schemes like SFI.

Defra sets the rules. The RPA runs the payments.

Evidence

Proof that you did an action: records of field work, invoices, photos and other papers.

Keep it for at least 7 years. See what evidence to keep.

Field outline (boundary)

The line around a field on a map.

AgriSync checks each photo was taken inside this line.

GPS

Your phone's location. A phone can save it with each photo.

A photo that shows where it was taken is stronger proof.

Hectare (ha)

A unit of land area. 1 hectare is about 2.47 acres.

SFI rates are paid per hectare.

Land cover

What the RPA records as being on each piece of land, like arable land or permanent grassland.

Wrong land cover can stop some actions. Check it in the Rural Payments service.

Land parcel

What the RPA calls a field or area of land. Each one has its own ID on the RPA's maps.

AgriSync brings in your land parcels as your fields. See check your RPA land parcels.

Load passport

AgriSync's record of a grain load: moisture, protein, specific weight and assurance, with a QR code.

The haulier scans the code to see it. See load passports.

Management control

Being the person who runs the land, and can do the actions on it, for the whole agreement.

SFI asks you to keep proof of it.

NDVI

A number from satellite pictures that shows how green and thick a crop looks from space.

AgriSync uses it to flag fields worth walking. See what is NDVI?.

No signal (offline)

When your phone has no mobile data or Wi-Fi.

The AgriSync Android app keeps photos taken with no signal and sends them later.

RPA

The Rural Payments Agency. It pays SFI money and checks agreements.

AgriSync is not part of the RPA and never sends anything to it.

Rural Payments service

The government website where you apply for SFI, see your land maps and manage your agreement.

Apply there, not in AgriSync. See SFI help.

SBI

Single Business Identifier. The 9-digit number the RPA gives your farm business.

Type it into AgriSync to bring in your fields. See what is an SBI number?.

Sentinel-2

European satellites that take free pictures of the land every few days.

AgriSync's crop checks use them.

SFI

The Sustainable Farming Incentive. A government scheme in England that pays farmers for work on their land.

See what is SFI26?.

SFI26

The 2026 offer of SFI. It is now closed to new applications.

Defra plans an SFI offer in 2027. See SFI 2027: what we know.

Site visit (inspection)

When the RPA checks your agreement, in person or online.

See RPA inspections.

UK GDPR

The UK law that protects personal data.

You can download your AgriSync data or delete your account at any time.

Web app

An app you use in your browser, with nothing to install.

The AgriSync web app is at app.agrisync.co.uk.

Window

A set time when you can apply for a scheme.

SFI26 had two windows in 2026. Both are closed.

Missing a word? Email info@agrisync.co.uk and we'll add it. Need help with SFI itself? See SFI help.