Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) Bursary South Africa 2025
ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – DALRRD
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.
ABOUT THE DALRRD BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2025 academic year.
- Agricultural (Bioresource) Engineering (BSc Eng)
- Agronomy (BSc Agric)
- Entomology (BSc Agric)
- Food Science (BSc Agric)
- Food Science and Technology (BAS)
- Food Technology (Diploma)
- Geo-Informatics/ Geographic Information Science (BSc)
- Geomatics/ Land Surveying/ GIS (National Diploma/ Bachelors Degree)
- Land Surveying/ Geomatics (BSc)
- Pasture Science (BSc Agric)
- Plant Pathology (BSc Agric)
- Soil Science (BSc Agric)
- Town/ Urban and Regional Planning (National Diploma/ Bachelors Degree)
- Town/ Urban and Regional Planning (BSc)
- Veterinary Science (BVSc)
- Viticulture and Oenology (BSc Agric)
Postgraduate Studies:
- DALRRD priority research projects (Advance Diploma/ B Tech/ BSc Hons, MSc/ DTech/ PhD)
- View our other Government Bursaries and Scholarships here.
- View our other Science Bursaries and Scholarships here.
- View our other Bursaries OPEN for application here.
MORE ABOUT THE DALRRD BURSARY PROGRAMME – EXPENSES COVERED & SELECTION
The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses: tuition fees, books, accommodation, meals and a 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):
Undergraduate students:
- 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 2025
- 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 aim to pursue a career within the agriculture, land reform and rural development sector
- 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)
- Land Surveying/ Geomatics/ GIS (National Diploma/ Bachelors Degree)
- Town/ Regional Planning (National Diploma/ Bachelors Degree)
- 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)
- Entomology (BSc Agric)
- Food Science (BSc Agric)
- Pasture 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 5 (60 to 69%) for Mathematics and Physical Science/ Geography in Matric, if studying or intend on studying within one of these fields:
- Land Surveying/ Geomatics (BSc)
- Town/ Urban and Regional Planning (BSc)
- Geo-Informatics/ Geographic Information Science (BSc)
- 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
Postgraduate students:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must have completed Matric
- You must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards one of the postgraduate qualifications listed above, in 2025
- You must be 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 aim to pursue a career within the agriculture, land reform and rural development sector
- Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE DALRRD BURSARY
Download and complete the relevant bursary application form:
Undergraduate studies: DALRRD Bursary Application Form 2025 (Undergraduate) (.pdf)
Postgraduate studies: DALRRD Bursary Application Form 2025 (Postgraduate) (.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):
Undergraduate students:
- 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 as soon as received.
Postgraduate students:
- ID document (certified copy)
- Full academic record (certified copy)
- Qualification/ certificates (certified copies)
- University acceptance letter (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)
Applications must be submitted via email to: Externalbursaries@dalrrd.gov.za
(Insert the words “DALRRD Bursary Application 2025” in the email subject line).
CLOSING DATE FOR THE DALRRD BURSARY
30 September 2024.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER
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:
- Mr Tshianeo Khangala – Tel: 012 319 7015
- Mr Vusimuzi Mngomezulu – Tel: 012 319 7923
- Ms Nozipho Mtshali – Tel: 012 326 8050 / Cell: 082 775 0590
- Mr Emmanuel Molefe – Tel: 012 326 8050 / Cell: 082 827 6245
This bursary listing was last updated in April 2024.