Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP)

The aim of this programme is to provide postsettlement support to the targeted beneficiaries of land reform and to other producers who have
acquired land through private means and are, for example, engaged in value-adding enterprises domestically or involved in export. 

The programme is a core focus for the department and will make interventions in six priority areas:

• Information and technology management
• Technical and advisory assistance, and regulatory services
• Marketing and business development
• Training and capacity building
• On/off farm infrastructure and product inputs
• Financial support

Expected outcomes:

• Increased creation of wealth in agriculture and rural areas
• Increased sustainable employment
• Increased incomes and increased foreign exchange earnings
• Reduces poverty and inequalities in land and enterprise ownership
• Improved farming efficiency
• Improved national and household food security
• Stable and safe rural communities, reduces levels of crime and violence, and sustainable rural development
• Improved investor confidence, leading to increased domestic and foreign investment
• Pride and dignity in agriculture as an occupation and sector

Beneficiaries:

• The hungry
• Subsistence and household food producers
• Farmers
• Agricultural macro-systems within the consumer environment

CASP Grant

Objectives and Allocation criteria:

• Community involvement and ownership
• Target beneficiaries should be from the previously disadvantaged group
• Enhances national and household food security
• One-off grant and not committing the Government to any form of direct recurrent operational or maintenance projects grants
• Long-term sustainability and economic viability
• Project finance support will only be provided for agricultural activities having the required level of institutional and technical support
• Projects that will generate employment opportunities should be given priority

Grant conditions

• Complement provincial budgets to improve and increase farner support services within the CASP framework
• Implementation of quarterly reporting on approved plans for targeted areas and beneficiary groups
• Strategic plans for 2005/06 to clearly indicate CASP measurable objectives and performance targets

Contact details

Department of Agriculture, Private Bag x250, Pretoria, 0001

Tel Number: 012 319 7553

Documents on CASP

CASP draft progress report 2003 - 2005

Progress report on the implementation of CASP, May 2004

Report on the provincial visits to monitor the implementation of CASP, November 2004

Report on the provincial visits to monitor the implementation of CASP, March 2005