The Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) programme tries to:

• Provide previously disadvantaged individuals with improved/better opportunities to own agricultural land.
• Assist rural people in improving their standard of living.
• Ensure more effective use of available agricultural land.

The LRAD programme is a sub-programme of the Redistribution programme of the Department of Land Affairs. It is specifically aimed at giving Black farmers access to land for subsistence or productive purposes and is jointly run by the Department of Land Affairs and the Department of Agriculture.

LRAD tries to undo the injustice done to women in the past, with regard to access to and ownership of land. Women are therefore now able to apply for the grant as individuals and not necessarily as part of a household.

To receive the minimum grant amount of R20,000 the applicant must make a contribution of R5,000, while a contribution of R400,000 is required in order to access the maximum grant amount of R100,000.

The grant may be used to buy land, to invest in infrastructure, for short-term agricultural inputs, as well as for land improvements in cases where applicants already have access to land. You can also apply for the grant if you are currently leasing land with the intention of buying it at a later stage.

The Department of Land Affairs will ensure that applicants who require assistance are provided access to design agents, who will help with the planning and implementation of the projects. The Department will pay the design agents appointed in this manner. The grant that the applicants may receive will not be affected.

Applicants who possess the necessary resources to appoint and pay design agents may do so without prior consultation with the Department. This will also be regarded as a form of own contribution to the project.

Only South African citizens older than 18 years, from previously disadvantaged communities, will be considered for the grant. Although applicants must preferably have agricultural experience, it is not a requirement. Persons who had previously received a grant (R16,000) from the Department may apply again but priority will be given to first-time applicants. The amount that a person qualifies for will depend on the level of grant previously received.

This document has been designed to assist readers with information about the LRAD programme, such as its objectives and its key features. It will also assist readers in identifying whether they qualify to participate in the programme, and how they should go about applying for the grant that is available through this programme.

This document will also guide readers through the process or project cycle which is proposed for all LRAD projects and will introduce some of the terminology, concepts and institutional arrangements which form part of the LRAD programme.

The Land Bank will administer the LRAD grant if applicants apply for Land Bank loan financing or wish to purchase a Land Bank property in possession. Beneficiaries can then access LRAD grants directly via the Land Bank. In this case, the completed application form must be handed in at the nearest Land Bank Branch or Satellite Office.

Completed business plans will be assessed at a district level, which will shorten the time required for the implementation of projects. Once project viability has been proven, the Provincial Director of Land Affairs will authorise payment of the grant.

You can download the application and registration form for a LRAD grant in English and Afrikaans.