A farmer has warned the government's new green farming schemes will do little to bridge gaps in funding amid the cost of living crisis.

Harvel House Farm in Meopham has welcomed the payments but says it remains worried due to their running costs going up "three or four-fold".

Farmers in England are set to be paid more money out of the public purse to protect the environment and producing food more sustainably.

Up to £1,000 extra cash has been ring-fenced for farmers who will take 'nature-friendly' steps under the new environmental land management schemes (ELMS).

The “sustainable farming incentive” (SFI) aims to help workers manage land that can improve food production and is more environmentally sound.

There will also be an average increase of 10% in payment rates for farmers who are in Countryside Stewardship agreements for ongoing work.

This includes maintaining bird-friendly seed margins, creating scrub habitat, and managing upland grass areas to provide habitat for bugs and ground-nesting birds.

But Josiah Jones who runs Harvel House Farm in Meopham with his family says they are concerned about the amount paid in the new subsidies.

“It’s a bit worrying in that they say, ‘well farmers could be due maybe 10% more than what they had previously', he explained. "Well that’s great, but as everyone knows cost have risen, especially for us."

“Some of our inputs have gone up three or four-fold. It’s not actually going to bridge that gap, but this is something that we are going to have to take on.

“It’s either that or we won’t be able to carry on farming.”

A new payment of £20 per hectare for up to 50 hectares of land in entering the SFI, could potentially give farmers an extra £1,000.

The increase in funding is being paid for by ongoing annual reductions in basic payments being made to farmers, with £1bn of the £2.4bn annual agriculture budget now available for nature-friendly farming and schemes, such as driving productivity or innovation on farms.

Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference, Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: "My challenge to our great industry is simple – this year, take another look at the ELMS and think about what options and grants will help support your farm.

"As custodians of more than 70% of our countryside, the nation is relying on its farmers to protect our landscapes as well as produce the high-quality food we are known for, and we are increasing payment rates to ensure farmers are not out of pocket for doing the right thing by the environment.

"By increasing the investment in these schemes, I want farmers to see this stacks up for business – whatever the size of your holding."

Just under 2,000 businesses have applied for the scheme so far.

The National Farmers Union in the South East believes a lack of information is causing uncertainty in the sector.

Isobel Bretherton said: “We are banging our heads against a brick wall in all honestly. We just don’t have the detail.

“With all the volatility that farmers are experiencing because of rising fuel and energy costs – they need as much income as they can get to stay in business and to deliver public goods."