Written by Siphesihle Zangwa, researcher, University of Mpumalanga. Cleaned up and edited by Samukelo Moloko, publisher, MzansiFarm. Updated 6 November 2026.
Small-scale farmers in South Africa can access government assistance for agricultural infrastructure, production inputs, training and technical support. However, the available assistance depends on the farmer's location, production activities and the particular programme being implemented.
An important change took place in 2026 when the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and Ilima/Letsema were consolidated into a single grant framework. The National Policy on Comprehensive Producer Development Support is also moving into its nationwide implementation phase, with provincial departments responsible for delivering support.
There are other programmes worth investigating, including the Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme and MAFISA. The latter provides repayable agricultural loans rather than grants.
Farmers should understand these differences before applying, particularly because government assistance may be provided through equipment, seedlings, fertiliser, irrigation infrastructure or technical services instead of cash.
1. Consolidated CASP and Ilima/Letsema Agricultural Support Grant
CASP and Ilima/Letsema have historically been two of South Africa's principal agricultural support programmes.
In 2026, government merged the two into a single grant framework to reduce administrative duplication and improve coordination between agricultural support initiatives.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed the merger in his Department of Agriculture 2026/27 Budget Vote speech on 2 June 2026. The OECD's 2026 agricultural policy review also records the consolidation.
The support framework covers different agricultural activities, including production, infrastructure development and the improvement of farming businesses.
Who can benefit?
The programmes have historically supported:
- Subsistence farmers.
- Smallholder producers.
- Land-reform beneficiaries.
- Vulnerable farming communities.
- Emerging agricultural businesses.
- Qualifying agricultural processing enterprises.
Women, young farmers and previously disadvantaged producers are among the groups considered in government agricultural transformation and producer-support policies.
What assistance is available?
Depending on the approved project and provincial priorities, support may include:
- Irrigation equipment and infrastructure.
- Fencing and farm improvements.
- Production inputs such as seeds and fertiliser.
- Agricultural machinery.
- Training and mentorship.
- Extension and advisory services.
- Marketing and business development assistance.
For example, a vegetable farmer who has land and an established production area but cannot expand because of inadequate irrigation could approach the provincial department for infrastructure support.
The department assesses the project and determines the assistance that can be approved. Funding is not automatically paid into the farmer's personal bank account.
Where do farmers apply?
Applications are handled through provincial departments of agriculture. Farmers should approach the office responsible for the district in which their farming operation is located.
Ask for the current consolidated producer-support guidelines and application requirements. Older CASP and Ilima/Letsema application forms may not reflect the latest provincial arrangements.
The National Policy on Comprehensive Producer Development Support provides the national policy framework.
2. Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme
The Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme (IFSNP) is intended to assist households and communities experiencing food insecurity.
Unlike commercial agricultural finance, the programme focuses on helping people produce food for household consumption and improving food security.
The South African Government describes assistance that can include:
- Vegetable seedlings.
- Fertiliser.
- Agricultural equipment.
- Materials for small-scale food gardens.
- Other approved agricultural inputs.
Who can apply?
Government information identifies individuals and groups interested in establishing small-scale gardens, as well as subsistence farmers in rural and urban areas.
This makes the programme particularly relevant to households that have access to a suitable growing area but lack the basic resources to begin production.
How can farmers access assistance?
Contact the provincial or regional Department of Agriculture and enquire about food-security support in your area.
The national government's Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme information describes the programme and its intended beneficiaries.
Application status: The national government information page still lists the programme, but I could not verify a current nationwide application window or a uniform funding allocation for November 2026. Farmers should confirm whether their province is accepting applications before preparing a project.
3. MAFISA: Micro-Agricultural Finance for Smallholder Farmers
The Micro-Agricultural Financial Institutions of South Africa programme, known as MAFISA, was established to improve access to financial services for smallholder producers who struggle to obtain conventional commercial finance.
It is different from CASP because MAFISA provides loans that must be repaid.
The programme supports agricultural, forestry and fisheries enterprises through participating financial institutions accredited by the Department of Agriculture.
What can MAFISA finance?
The Department of Agriculture identifies production inputs such as fertiliser, seed and pesticides as eligible loan purposes.
The scheme also provides for other qualifying agricultural expenses, including livestock purchases, small equipment and agro-processing.
Who qualifies?
The department's published eligibility criteria include:
- South African citizenship.
- Membership of historically disadvantaged groups.
- An agricultural, forestry or fisheries-related enterprise.
- The ability to repay the loan.
- Compliance with the applicable income, turnover and credit requirements.
Individuals and qualifying groups can apply.
How much can farmers borrow?
There is an important discrepancy in the government's published information.
The general South African Government agricultural information page still refers to loans of up to R100,000. However, the Department of Agriculture's dedicated MAFISA Development Finance page currently displays a maximum loan amount of R500,000 per person and an interest rate of 8% per annum, compounded.
The department's published information also indicates that loans below R25,000 do not require security.
Because these figures differ from information on other official government pages and older MAFISA policy documents, applicants should obtain written confirmation of the current lending limits, interest rate, security and repayment conditions before applying.
For enquiries, the Department of Agriculture lists MAFISA contact numbers 012 319 7263, 012 319 6825 and 012 319 7216.
4. Agricultural Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Support
Water infrastructure can be one of the biggest obstacles facing smallholder farmers, particularly those who depend on rainfall or use ageing irrigation systems.
Government's Irrigation, Revitalisation and Development support initiatives aim to improve the use of available agricultural water resources and rehabilitate under-utilised irrigation schemes.
Support can involve developing irrigation infrastructure and improving existing schemes where suitable water resources are available.
Who should investigate this support?
It is particularly relevant to farmers operating within existing irrigation schemes, community farming projects and areas where under-utilised agricultural infrastructure could be restored.
A farmer should not assume that the programme will pay for an individual borehole or irrigation installation. The type of project, water availability, infrastructure requirements and provincial implementation arrangements must first be assessed.
The South African Government's irrigation and agricultural support information provides further background.
5. Agricultural Extension, Training and Mentorship
Not all government agricultural assistance comes in the form of a grant.
Provincial departments also provide agricultural extension and advisory services to help producers improve their farming practices.
These services can be useful to farmers who need assistance with:
- Crop production and planting schedules.
- Livestock management.
- Soil and water management.
- Pest and disease identification.
- Agricultural business development.
- Access to production information and markets.
A farmer can approach the local agricultural extension office to request assistance with a production problem or information about available support programmes.
The Department of Agriculture's Producer Support and Development division advises individuals and groups who lack resources to visit or contact their nearest regional or provincial agriculture department.
Where Should Small Farmers Start?
The most practical starting point is the provincial Department of Agriculture responsible for the district where the farm is located.
Explain what you currently produce, the size of the operation and what is preventing you from increasing production. Ask which support programmes are being implemented and whether there is an open application period.
A farmer requesting fencing, for example, should explain the production problem caused by inadequate fencing. Someone seeking vegetable-production inputs should identify the planting area, available water and crops intended for production.
The department can then advise which application process is appropriate.
Farmers should also remember that a programme appearing on an official website is not necessarily accepting applications. Always confirm the current financial year, provincial availability and applicable conditions.
Official Sources and Application Information
Department of Agriculture
Producer Support and Development — Guidance on accessing provincial and regional producer-support services.
Development Finance: MAFISA — MAFISA eligibility, loan conditions and contact details.
National Policy on Comprehensive Producer Development Support — National producer-support policy and implementation framework.
Government programme information
South African Government: Land and Agriculture — CASP, food-security support, irrigation and MAFISA information.
Minister of Agriculture's 2026/27 Budget Vote Speech, 2 June 2026 — Confirmation of the CASP and Ilima/Letsema merger.
Independent policy assessment
OECD: Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2026 – South Africa — Assessment of South African agricultural support and the 2026 policy changes.
Editorial note: This guide reflects information available on 6 November 2026. Programme eligibility, provincial application periods and available budgets can change. MAFISA is a repayable loan scheme, while the other support mechanisms described here may provide grants, equipment, inputs or services depending on their implementation. Farmers should obtain current requirements directly from the responsible department.
