The Ilima/Letsema programme is a conditional grant that assists vulnerable black farming communities to achieve an increase in agricultural production. Initiated in 2008 and administered through provincial departments of agriculture, its main goal is to reduce poverty through increased food production at both household and national level. The name draws from indigenous traditions of communal work -- "ilima" in isiZulu and "letsema" in Sesotho describe the practice of community members coming together to work the land.
The programme targets subsistence farmers, smallholder producers, and vulnerable households in communal rural areas. It invests in production infrastructure and provides agricultural inputs across four key sectors: grain, livestock, horticulture, and aquaculture. Women and youth are given priority consideration.
R677M
2025/26 Allocation
~71,000
Farmers supported annually
Since 2008
Serving farming communities
9 Provinces
National reach
Production Focus Areas
Ilima/Letsema invests in infrastructure and provides inputs across four strategically identified agricultural production areas.
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Grain Production
Maize, wheat, sorghum, and other grain crops. Mechanisation for planting hectares, seeds, fertilisers, and herbicides to boost staple food output.
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Livestock
Breeding animals, poultry, animal feed, medication, handling facilities, and veterinary support to strengthen livestock enterprises.
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Horticulture
Vegetable and fruit production through household, community, and school gardens. Seedlings, garden tools, shade netting, and irrigation.
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Aquaculture
Fish farming infrastructure and inputs to develop inland aquaculture as an alternative protein source and economic opportunity.
What Beneficiaries Receive
The programme provides production inputs and infrastructure. The most common forms of support distributed to beneficiaries include:
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Seeds & Seedlings
Most common input
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Fertilisers
Soil nutrition
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Garden Tools
Implements & equipment
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Animal Feed
Poultry & livestock
💊
Animal Medication
Veterinary inputs
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Irrigation Systems
Water infrastructure
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Mechanisation
Tractor ploughing
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Pesticides & Herbicides
Crop protection
Garden & Production Programmes
Ilima/Letsema supports food production at multiple levels, from individual households to community-scale projects.
Household Gardens
Production packs (starter packs) distributed to vulnerable households for backyard vegetable gardens. Includes seeds, seedlings, fertiliser, and basic tools for food self-sufficiency.
Community Gardens
Shared garden spaces established in communal areas. Support includes fencing, irrigation, implements, and production inputs for group-based food growing projects.
School Gardens
Agricultural gardens at schools to supplement nutrition programmes, teach learners food production skills, and contribute to school feeding schemes.
Public Gardens
Community-access food gardens in public spaces including clinics, churches, and community centres. Focuses on areas with high food insecurity.
Irrigation Scheme Revitalisation
A key component of Ilima/Letsema is the rehabilitation and expansion of irrigation schemes. These large-scale projects restore communal irrigation infrastructure to bring thousands of hectares back into productive use. The programme has invested in rehabilitating infield roads, expanding fencing, restoring water canals, and installing modern irrigation equipment.
Major schemes that have received Ilima/Letsema investment include historically significant communal irrigation projects across multiple provinces, covering grain, vegetable, and fruit production for surrounding communities.
Taung (North West) Vaalharts (Northern Cape/NW) Makhathini (KwaZulu-Natal)
National Targets
Ilima/Letsema operates within the framework of the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030.
1 Million Jobs
NDP 2030 agricultural job creation target
1 Million Ha
Unutilised land to be brought under production
R3+ Billion
Spent since programme inception
How Ilima/Letsema Relates to CASP
Ilima/Letsema complements the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) but has a distinct focus. While CASP provides post-settlement support across six pillars (infrastructure, training, marketing, advisory, information, finance) targeting farmer development, Ilima/Letsema focuses specifically on increasing food production for vulnerable communities through direct provision of inputs and production infrastructure. Both are conditional grants from DALRRD administered through provincial departments, and both target black farming communities. Many provinces accept applications for both programmes simultaneously. See the CASP Funding page for details.
How to Apply
Like CASP, Ilima/Letsema applications are managed at provincial level through your district agricultural office.
Contact Your Provincial Agriculture Office
Visit your nearest district or local agricultural office. Speak to an extension officer or the Ilima/Letsema coordinator in your province. Application forms must be obtained and submitted in person. Some provinces run joint CASP and Ilima/Letsema calls, while others have separate processes.
Complete the Application
Indicate your educational level, qualifications, farming experience, and skills levels. Describe your agricultural enterprise, the type of support needed, and expected outcomes. Attach proof of identity, land access, and proof of agricultural activity. Include a business plan or project proposal.
Submit Before the Deadline
Deadlines vary by province. Applications are typically advertised in local newspapers, on departmental websites, and via extension officers. No late, faxed, or emailed applications are accepted. Submit your completed form in person at the district office and keep your reference number.
Assessment and Support
Applications are assessed by provincial departments. Approved projects are supported with inputs and infrastructure, typically in the following financial year. The programme has historically supported around 70,000 farmers annually across the country. Vulnerable households, women, and youth receive priority.
Priority: Women, Youth & Vulnerable Households
Ilima/Letsema places strong emphasis on supporting women and youth in agriculture, as well as people with disabilities and vulnerable rural households. The primary aim is to address the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality through increased food production. When applying, ensure you indicate your demographic details and how your project will contribute to food security and community development.
Eastern Cape: Ilima Lokulima (2025-2030)
The Eastern Cape has launched the Community Food Production Scheme (Ilima Lokulima), a five-year initiative from 2025 to 2030 that extends the Ilima/Letsema model. In 2024/25, 30,000 households received production packs through this programme. Community stakeholders including traditional councils, cooperatives, clinics, schools, and community-based organisations are invited to participate. Contact the EC Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform for details.
Applications Are In-Person Only
There is no national online application portal for Ilima/Letsema. Applications must be submitted in person at your nearest provincial district agricultural office. No late, faxed, emailed, or unsigned applications will be accepted. Ensure you have all required documents before visiting the office. Contact your local extension officer if you need guidance on the process.
Common Questions
A production pack (also called a starter pack) is a set of basic agricultural inputs provided to vulnerable households to start or improve backyard vegetable gardens. Packs typically include seeds, seedlings, fertiliser, and basic garden tools. They are designed to help households achieve food self-sufficiency. In the Eastern Cape alone, 30,000 households received production packs in the 2024/25 financial year.
Yes. Many provinces run joint calls for both programmes. CASP and Ilima/Letsema address different needs: CASP provides broader farmer development support (infrastructure, training, marketing), while Ilima/Letsema focuses on food production inputs. You can potentially benefit from both if your project qualifies, but each has its own criteria and assessment process.
You need access to land for agricultural activity, but you do not need to own it. Communal land rights, Permission to Occupy (PTO), lease agreements, and even access to a school or community garden space can qualify. For household production packs, you typically need a yard or plot suitable for growing vegetables. The key requirement is that you are engaged in or planning food production activity.
Ilima/Letsema provides project-based support rather than guaranteed recurring funding. You receive inputs and infrastructure support based on approved applications for a specific financial year. You can re-apply in subsequent years, but approval depends on available budget, provincial priorities, and your project's performance and needs.
Mechanisation (tractor ploughing for planting hectares) is available to subsistence and smallholder farmers who need assistance with land preparation. In some provinces, the department maintains a fleet of tractors and ploughs land for communities on request rather than distributing equipment. Contact your provincial agriculture department to find out how mechanisation services are delivered in your area.
The programme supports school gardens by providing seeds, seedlings, garden tools, and sometimes fencing and irrigation to schools. These gardens supplement school nutrition programmes and teach learners about food production. In Gauteng alone, over 226 schools have been supported through Ilima/Letsema. Schools interested in participating should contact their district agricultural office.
Important Links & Resources
Provincial contacts, programme information, and agricultural resources.
grantZA is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with DALRRD or any provincial department of agriculture. For official enquiries, visit your nearest local agricultural office or contact the Ilima/Letsema coordinator in your province.