6 February 2024
The Agro Energy Fund (AEF) is a blended finance programme, established in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) to provide funding support for the acquisition of alternative energy assets to alleviate the impact of loadshedding on farming operations and the agricultural sector.
The fund will focus on financing energy intensive agricultural activities which include irrigation, intensive agricultural production systems and onfarm cold chain related activities.
SECTOR FOCUS
Targeted commodities that have high energy consumption at farm level i.e.:
• Dairy farming;
• Poultry and Piggeries;
• All irrigated commodities; and
• On-farm processing.
**Commodity list is not exhaustive, to be guided by internal assessment at Land Bank.
QUALIFYING CRITERIA
• South African citizens with a valid ID (must be 18 years and above) and/or registered business entity;
• Applicant must be applying to implement an energy efficiency project or to implement a project that offsets electricity from the grid through self-use renewable energy;
• The Applicant must be operating an agricultural business at the primary or secondary level;
• Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to utilize the energy requirements applied for;
• Smallholder, medium-scale, large-scale and mega commercial producers operating in the agricultural sector;
• Producers involved in energy-intensive farming enterprises including on-farm cold chain related activities;
• Proof of land ownership or proof of access to land (Lease tenure must be aligned to the term of the loan at the minimum);
• Only one application per entity or applicant will be considered; and
• No debt takeovers; debt settlements or refinancing.
HOW TO APPLY TO THE LAND BANK
Visit our local branches or Log an enquiry via our website at www.landbank.co.za
For more information please contact +27 (0)12 686 05000 or visit www.landbank.co.za
