Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Bursary 2026

Are you passionate about agriculture, land reform, and rural development?

Do you dream of contributing to a more equitable and prosperous rural South Africa?

The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Bursary was made specifically for people like you.

About the Organisation

The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) is a provincial government entity (Eastern Cape) focused on rural development, agrarian reform, and improving agricultural productivity. 

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is its national counterpart, formed by merging rural development, land reform, and agriculture functions. 

These bursary programmes are part of their mandate to promote food security, uplift rural areas, and develop human capacity in agriculture.

Fields of Study Funded

The bursary supports full-time study in fields including:

1. Agricultural Engineering / Bioresource Engineering
2. Veterinary Science (BVSc)
3. Animal Science
4. Entomology
5. Food Science & Food Technology
6. Land Surveying / Geomatics / Geo-Informatics / Geographic Information Science
7. Town / Urban & Regional Planning
8. Pasture Science, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, Viticulture & Oenology in the agriculture streams

Benefits for Recipients

Covered costs have included:

1. Tuition and registration fees
2. Prescribed textbooks
3. Accommodation and meals
4. A monthly stipend/allowance in some cases

Recipients in past calls were required to enter into a service or work‐back obligation, meaning they must serve DRDAR for a period equivalent to the funded study time.

Eligibility Criteria

You will likely need to meet the following:

1. Be a South African citizen.
2. Be in Grade 12 (Matric) or have completed Matric.
3. Have passed Mathematics and Physical Science in Matric.
4. Be accepted, or provisionally accepted, to study full-time in one of the listed eligible institutions/fields.
5. Be from a disadvantaged or rural background. Preference often goes to those residing in the Eastern Cape for DRDAR.
6. Be unemployed (in some DRDAR bursary calls).
7. Be financially needy; often must provide proof of parents’/guardians’ income, or an affidavit if unemployed.
8. Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

1. Obtain the official application form from the DRDAR offices in the Eastern Cape, or download it from their website when the call is open.
2. Send the completed form with all supporting documents (see below) by post or hand-deliver it to DRDAR’s Human Resource / Bursary department, or via email where indicated, using the proper subject line (e.g., “DRDAR Bursary 2026”).
3. Ensure your application is complete; incomplete or late applications are typically disqualified.

Required Documents

You will need to include:

1. Certified copy of your South African ID document.
2. Certified Matric certificate or latest Matric results (if still in Grade 12).
3. Proof of admission / provisional admission, or registration at a tertiary institution.
4. Proof of residence (often local municipality, less than 3 months old) for Eastern Cape DRDAR calls.
5. Parents’ or guardians’ ID documents (certified).
6. Proof of household income (payslips if employed, affidavit or accepted forms if unemployed).
7. Details of any other bursaries or sponsorships you are receiving (if applicable).

Closing Date

In the 2026 DRDAR bursary call, the closing date was 24 January 2026.

No confirmed 2026 date is publicly well-established yet.

You should check DRDAR’s or DALRRD’s official website and announcements.

Contact Details

• Email for DRDAR bursary enquiries (Eastern Cape): bursary@drdar.gov.za
• Phone contacts in Eastern Cape: Ms N. Guzana / Ms N. Mnyenyevu (083 451 7445 / 060 560 0143)
• Postal / Hand-deliver address: Private Bag X0040, Bhisho, 5605; or Room 1083, 1st Floor, Tyamzashe Building, Bhisho (for DRDAR)