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About the Department of Agriculture Bursary for 2026
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) was established when a merger occurred between the 2 prior government departments, namely: the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Department Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), in 2019.
The DALRRD’s vision includes ensuring citizens have fair access to land, food security, sustainable agriculture and integrated rural development.
Fields Covered
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2026 academic year.
Bursaries will be awarded for Undergraduate studies, in fields within the agriculture sector – specifically the following fields:
- Agriculture related fields (Advance Diploma)
- Agricultural (Bioresource) Engineering (BSc Eng)
- Agronomy (BSc Agric)
- Animal Science (BSc Agric)
- Entomology (BSc Agric)
- Food Science (BSc Agric)
- Food Science and Technology (BAS)
- Food Technology (Diploma)
- Plant Pathology (BSc Agric)
- Soil Science (BSc Agric)
- Veterinary Science (BVSc)
- Viticulture and Oenology (BSc Agric)
The bursary aims to fund previously disadvantaged and impoverished students, from poverty-stricken and rural communities.
What the Bursary covers
The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses:
- tuition fees,
- Prescribed textbooks,
- accommodation fees,
- meals
- monthly allowance
The number of bursaries awarded will be dependent on the departments budget availability.
Successful applicants will be contacted within 14 days after Matric final results are released, and after the National Bursary Committee has completed the selection process. If you do not receive any feedback within 2 weeks after Matric final results are released, please regard your application as unsuccessful.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DALRRD BURSARY
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
- You must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards one of the undergraduate qualifications listed above, in 2026
- You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
- You must be previously disadvantaged or impoverished
- You must from a poverty-stricken area or rural community
- You must NOT be a staff member of the department
- You must have achieved a minimum result of level 4 (50 to 59%) for Mathematics and Physical Science in Matric, if studying or intend on studying within one of these fields:
- Food Science and Technology (BAS)
- Food Technology (Diploma)
- You must have achieved a minimum result of level 5 (60 to 69%) for Mathematics and Physical Science in Matric, if studying or intend on studying within one of these fields:
- Agronomy (BSc Agric)
- Animal Science (BSc Agric)
- Entomology (BSc Agric)
- Food Science (BSc Agric)
- Plant Pathology (BSc Agric)
- Soil Science (BSc Agric)
- Viticulture and Oenology (BSc Agric)
- You must have achieved a minimum result of level 6 (70 to 79%) for Mathematics and Physical Science in Matric, if studying or intend on studying within one of these fields:
- Agricultural (Bioresource) Engineering (BSc Eng)
- Veterinary Science (BVSc)
- Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply
How to Apply for Agriculture Bursary for 2026
Download and complete the DALRRD Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf)
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
- ID document (certified copy)
- Matric latest results, if currently in Matric (certified copy)
- Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
- Full academic record, if currently studying (certified copy)
- University acceptance letter, if available (on tertiary letterhead)
- Parents or guardians ID documents (certified copies)
- Parents or guardians death certificates, if applicable (certified copies)
- Parents or guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed, proof of unemployment from Department of Labour if unemployed, SASSA confirmation letter if applicable) (certified copies)
Note: if you have not yet received your Matric final results or University acceptance letter, you may apply without it and submit the outstanding documents within 3 days after the release of Grade 12 results in January 2026.
Applications must be submitted via email to: Externalbursaries@dalrrd.gov.za
(Insert the words “DALRRD Bursary 2026” in the email subject line).
Closing Date
30 September 2025.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
Contact Details
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development directly:
Email: Externalbursaries@dalrrd.gov.za
Contact people:
- Ms Silindelo Dlomo – Tel: 012 319 7848
- Ms Bongiwe Shabalala – Tel: 012 319 7136
- Mr Sifiso Nkuna – Tel: 012 319 7201
