Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency - ECRDA

09/10/2026

🌍 El Niño: When the Ocean Changes, the Weather Follows

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs when temperatures in the Pacific Ocean become warmer than normal, disrupting weather patterns across the globe. This can lead to extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, heatwaves and storms.

In Southern Africa, El Niño is often associated with hotter and drier conditions, increasing the risk of drought, water shortages, veld fires and reduced agricultural production. Understanding El Niño helps communities, farmers and disaster management authorities prepare for its potential impacts.

Check the poster below on what to do in preparation for the upcoming El Niño expected in November 2026.

09/10/2026

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INFORMAL BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMME (IBSP) FUND

Supporting Township and Rural Enterprises in the Eastern Cape
SUPPORT OF UP TO R50 000 PER APPROVED APPLICANT
For equipment and machinery
TURN YOUR IDEAS INTO OPPORTUNITIES

Who can apply?

Are you an informal or micro-enterprise operating in a township or rural community in the Eastern Cape?
Apply for support to grow your business, create jobs and contribute to a thriving local economy.

Supported sectors
• Manufacturing
• Clothing and textiles
• Automotive aftermarket
• Services, retail and ICT
• Biodiversity economy
• Other emerging innovations.
Listed activities are indicative and do not exclude emerging innovations that support local economic development.

What you can apply for
• Equipment and machinery
• Input materials.

What is not supported
• Cash payments to applicants
• Land or property purchases
• Construction or renovations to private buildings
• Business acquisitions
• Alcohol trading
• Unlawful or prohibited activities.

Good to know
• No cash payments – DEDEAT procures approved items and pays suppliers directly.
• Every applicant will be assessed for appropriate support and referrals, including registration assistance, skills development, mentorship and market access programmes.
• Applications will be assessed on evidence of trading, impact, growth potential, owner skills and inclusive participation (women, youth, persons with disabilities and military veterans).

Documents to attach
REQUIRED
1. Completed and signed IBSP application form.
2. Valid South African ID.
3. Proof of residence.
4. Evidence that the business has been operating for at least three months.
5. List of requested items and estimated prices (e.g. quotation or price list).
6. Biodiversity permit (where legally required).
OPTIONAL (IF AVAILABLE)
• Municipal license/permit.
• CIPC registration document.
• SARS registration.
• Business records, receipts or invoices.
• Employee information (where applicable).

Application period
NOW OPEN| CLOSES: 30 OCTOBER 2026

Get your application form
Visit your nearest DEDEAT Regional Office. Download from www.dedea.gov.za or scan the QR code on the original poster.

For enquiries
Contact your nearest DEDEAT Regional Office or visit www.dedea.gov.za. Download is available: https://shorturl.at/IRdXa

Together we grow inclusive and sustainable communities.

A THRIVING EASTERN CAPE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
DEDEAT | PEOPLE | NATURE | ECONOMY | SUSTAINABLE FUTURES
ECDC - Eastern Cape Development Corporation Coega Development Corporation (Pty) Ltd East London IDZ - ELIDZ Eastern Cape Gambling Board Eastern Cape Liquor Board Eastern Cape Tourism

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

ECRDA, together with our mother department, the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, joined the annual two-day Farmers Indaba hosted by the Berlin Fort Jackson Farmers Association in Berlin, within Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, on 8–9 October 2026.

Led by the Executive Mayor of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Cllr Princess Faku, the Indaba brought together farmers, stakeholders and partners under the theme “Empowering Farmers for a Sustainable Tomorrow.”

The gathering provided a platform to share knowledge, explore opportunities and strengthen partnerships, with a focus on agribusiness development, innovation and technology, food security and sustainability.

ECRDA’s participation reflects our commitment to supporting farmers and working with partners to advance agricultural development and create opportunities for rural communities.

09/10/2026

08/10/2026

ECRDA Joined Presidential Visit at Redlands Dairy Farm

ECRDA, led by Board Member Ms Ntuthu Mbiko and CEO Mr Simpiwe Somdyala, joined the province in welcoming President Cyril Ramaphosa to Redlands Dairy Farm in Stutterheim, within Amahlathi Local Municipality.

The President was accompanied by Eastern Cape Premier Mr Oscar Mabuyane, Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development Mr Mzwanele Nyhontso, Agriculture MEC Ms Kontsiwe, MECs Pieters and Mvoko, and other key stakeholders.

Owned by young farmer Tshilidzi Matshidzula, the 357-hectare dairy farm began operating in 2023 and received support from the Land Bank and the Department of Agriculture through the Blended Finance Scheme in 2025. The farm has created employment for 70 people and has an established market in Buffalo City Metro.

During the visit, President Ramaphosa and Premier Mabuyane highlighted the transformative potential of strategic partnerships, financial support and practical mentorship in building sustainable commercial farming enterprises.

President Ramaphosa also highlighted the release of approximately 2.5 million hectares of acquired land, with title deeds, to black farmers, underscoring the scale of opportunities for agricultural transformation.

08/10/2026

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08/10/2026

08/10/2026

The Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to strengthen support for emerging and developing farmers through the Land Bank's Blended Finance Scheme (BFS).

Under the agreement, DLRRD will provide R500 million in grant funding for the remainder of the 2026/27 financial year, to be deployed through the blended finance alongside Land Bank loan finance. The additional grant funding will strengthen the Bank's capacity to provide appropriately structured and affordable finance to qualifying farmers and agricultural enterprises.

https://www.dlrrd.gov.za/images/Newsroom/Media%20Releases/2026/dlrrd_land_bank_blended_finance_scheme_8october2026.pdf

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