The Department has ring-fenced R1.2 billion for assistance to mainly target financially distressed small-scale farmers. Of the R1.2 billion, R400 million has been allocated for farmers within the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) programme and the remainder will be channelled towards all other farmers that are mainly within the following commodity sectors:

1. Poultry: Day old chicks, Point of lay chickens, feed, medication and sawdust;
2. Other Livestock: Feed and medication.
3. Vegetables: Seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and soil correction.
4. Other commodity sectors will be evaluated on a case by case basis, as the Department continuously monitors the impact of COVID-19 on the sector at large.

Qualifying criteria for farmers

• South African citizens who have been actively farming for a minimum of 12 months and currently in the production season or cycle.
• Be registered on farmer register, commodity database or provincial database [Those who are not on the Farmer Register will be registered to benefit].
• Communal farmers.
• Smallholder farmers with annual turnover between R20 000 and R1 million.
• The adjudication will prioritise women, youth and people with disabilities.

Documents (Click on the link to download documents)

1. COVID-19 Agric Disaster Support Fund Advert
2. Funding Application Form COVID-19 Agric Disaster Support Fund