The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) no longer exists as one department. After the 2024 elections the national government split it in two: the Department of Agriculture (DoA) and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD). Parliament’s agriculture and land committees reported in February 2026 that the split took full effect on 1 April 2025. The old DALRRD bursary scheme split with it, so students who used to send one application now choose between two separate bursaries, each with its own advert, form and email address.
Both departments advertised bursaries for the 2027 academic year, and both set 30 September 2026 as the closing date. Neither accepts late forms, so the 2027 intake has now closed.
Department of Agriculture: farming, food and veterinary degrees
The DoA’s 2027 advert offers comprehensive bursaries covering tuition, accommodation, study materials, meals and a monthly allowance. The department aims the awards at students from economically disadvantaged, rural and underprivileged communities, and invites applicants with disabilities. Only South African citizens qualify. The DoA sets a minimum NSC level in Mathematics and Physical Science for each group of qualifications:
- Level 6 (70–79%): BSc Eng Agricultural (Bioresource) Engineering or BEng Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, and the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc).
- Level 5 (60–69%): Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing, BHSci Veterinary Technology, and BSc Agric degrees in Entomology, Food Science, Animal Health, Plant Pathology, Plant Science, Soil Science, Agronomy, and Viticulture and Oenology.
- Level 4 (50–59%): BAS Food Science and Technology and the Diploma in Food Technology.
- A relevant undergraduate qualification: an Advanced Diploma in an agriculture-related field, and BSc Agric Honours in Plant Pathology or Entomology.
The DoA rejects applications for any field not on that list. Compared with its 2026 advert, the department added veterinary nursing, veterinary technology, plant science and the two honours programmes for 2027, and listed BSc Agric Animal Health where the 2026 list had Animal Science.
What the DoA form asks for
The DoA’s undergraduate form (Annexure B1) asks for certified copies of the applicant’s and parents’ or guardian’s ID documents, death certificates where they apply, qualifications, academic record or Grade 12 results, and the university acceptance letter. It also wants proof of family income (a salary advice no older than three months), a SASSA letter if the applicant received a child support grant, and proof of unemployment from the Department of Labour where relevant. The DoA states plainly that it does not accept affidavits. Completed forms go by email to Externalbursaries@nda.gov.za. Applicants still waiting for an acceptance letter or final results could apply anyway, but had to send those documents within three days of the Grade 12 results release in January 2027.
The DoA contacts successful applicants only. If you hear nothing within 14 days of the Grade 12 results and the National Bursary Committee’s selection, treat the application as unsuccessful. The advert and form are on the Department of Agriculture’s vacancies page, and the DoA lists three bursary officers in Pretoria for enquiries on (012) 319 7848, (012) 319 7136 and (012) 319 7201.
DLRRD: surveying, GIS and planning
The land fields that used to sit on the DALRRD list now belong to the DLRRD. Its 2027 bursary covers tuition, accommodation, books, meals and a living allowance for students in geomatics and town, urban and regional planning:
- BSc degrees in Land Surveying or Geomatics, Town and Regional Planning, and Geo-informatics or Geographic Information Science (level 5, 60–69%, in Mathematics and Physical Science or Geography)
- Bachelor’s degrees in Geomatics or Surveying and in Town and Regional Planning (Mathematics and Physical Science at level 4, 50–59%)
- Diplomas in Geomatics, Surveying or GIS, and in Town and Regional Planning (Mathematics and Physical Science at level 4)
- Postgraduate study, from advanced diploma to PhD, in geomatics or planning
The DLRRD took applications mainly through an online form linked from its advert, with emailed paper forms to Externalbursaries@dlrrd.gov.za as the alternative. The advert, form and QR code sit on the DLRRD vacancies and bursaries page.
Preparing for the 2028 intake
Both departments used a 30 September closing date for the 2026 and 2027 intakes, so Grade 11 learners aiming at 2028 should plan to apply in the third quarter of 2027, once each department posts its new advert. Decide early which department fits your course: an agronomy or veterinary student applies to the DoA, a surveying or planning student to the DLRRD. Students in Limpopo can also look at the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development bursary, and Eastern Cape students at the DRDAR bursary. Other public funders are listed among the government bursaries.
Can I still send my form to the old DALRRD bursary address?
Not for the DoA. The Department of Agriculture’s 2026 advert used Externalbursaries@dalrrd.gov.za, but its 2027 advert and form switched to Externalbursaries@nda.gov.za. The DLRRD takes paper forms at its own address, Externalbursaries@dlrrd.gov.za.
Can I apply to both departments?
Each department funds only the fields on its own list, so an application only makes sense where your course appears. A BSc Agric student has nothing to gain from the DLRRD form, and a planning student will not be considered by the DoA.