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16 April 2020 Call for applications: COVID-19 Agricultural disaster support fund for smallholder and communal farmers

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development hereby calls for applications from small holder farmers/producers who are currently in production and preparing for winter crops.

The main objective of this support is to complete the current production cycle in an effort to ensure adequate food production and supplies. The targeted beneficiaries are smallholder and communal producers with a turnover between R20 000 and R1 million per annum. 50% women, 40% youth and 6% people with disability will be targeted.  The Funding is a grant and the voucher system will apply in partnership with distributors and manufactures of these inputs and the grant shall not exceed R50 000 per farming operation.

The specific targeted commodities to be supported are the following: (this is guided by the country’s self-sufficiency index)

Commodity Specific Support
Poultry Day old chicks, Point of lay chickens, feed, medication and sawdust;
Vegetables Seed, Seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and soil correction.
Fruits Final spraying programmes for fruits that are ready for harvest.
Livestock Feed and medication
Winter Crops Soil correction, fertilizer, seeds, herbicides and pesticides.

Application Form

Agricultural Support Application Form

 Closing Date for the application is 22 APRIL 2020 by 16h00. Late applications will not be considered.

 Disclaimer: due to limitation of funds not all qualifying farmers will be funded.

Minimum Requirements

  • Smallholder farmers/producers must have a minimum turnover of R20 000 per annum but not exceeding R1 million. (produce financial records or evidence if financial statement cannot be produced during this lockdown period )
  • South African Certified ID copy; not older than 3 months
  • Valid confirmation of land tenure/ownership (title deeds, Tribal Resolution, Permission to Occupy, minimum 5 years lease agreement)
  • Already farming
  • Application form completed
  • Farming operation able to create permanent and/or seasonal jobs
  • In cases where the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Certificate is necessary for the operations, evidence of such to be provided.
  • Proof of access to water for irrigation in case of fruits, vegetables and winter crops (i.e. water license/rights or proof that it had been applied for, borehole or other sources).
  • Non-Government Employees

More detail on the selection criteria please visit the respective provincial Department of Agriculture OR national department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development or visit www.dalrrd.gov.za

The applications will be evaluated in line with the agreed selection criteria.

Application forms are available at Both National and Provincial Departments of Agriculture offices as well as at the district and National offices of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. DALRRD website: www.dalrrd.gov.za.

Completed application forms with the supporting documents must be submitted to the nearest Local, District Municipality or DALRRD.