Government has launched a R1.2 billion Agro-Energy Fund to move farmers away from the Eskom grid and invest in alternative energy solutions.
The fund, valued at R1.2 billion, was recently launched by the Department of Agriculture and Land Bank, and is set to benefit dairy farms, piggeries, poultry farms and irrigated commodities, among others. due to power cuts.
Grant and loan funding will be weighted differently depending on the size of the operation. Small-scale farmers will receive a proportionally larger percentage of grant funding while large-scale farmers will receive a proportionally larger loan .Farmers can apply through the Land Bank and will need to present a business plan and a plan for the alternative energy source upon application.