Agriculture’s place in the African economy cannot be overlooked. Apart from its role in economic development, Agriculture provides livelihoods and food security. Yet, farmers face challenges, including climate change, limited access to finance, technology, and markets, which hinder productivity and hinder sustainable practices.

Agricultural grants offer a way forward for farmers. They provide financial awards to support farming-related projects, research, and the development of rural communities. These grants increase agricultural productivity, support innovation, enhance sustainability, and improve overall food security.

In 2025, agriculture grants are available from governments, international organisations, foundations, or private entities, providing critical support to enable innovation, improve farming practices, and expand market opportunities. 

This article provides an overview of funding opportunities for African farmers, highlighting eligibility requirements and practical tips for the application process. 

What are Grants?

A grant is a form of financial assistance a person, organisation, or government provides to an individual, company, nonprofit organisation, or other entity for a specific purpose that typically benefits the public. 

Grants are awarded with the expectation that the funds will be used solely for the stated purpose. Recipients are normally required to comply with reporting requirements to demonstrate the proper use of the funds. Grants can come from government bodies, charitable foundations, or specialised institutions, and are typically time-limited and purpose-specific.

What are Agricultural Grants?

Agricultural grants are financial awards from governments, international organisations, foundations, or private entities that aim to increase agricultural productivity, support innovation, enhance sustainability, and improve food security. They support farming-related projects, research, and the development of rural communities. 

Why do Agricultural Grants Matter?

Agricultural grants and funding initiatives, whether through government programmes, public-private partnerships, or donor-supported schemes, are essential in strengthening national food systems and ensuring food security.

Agricultural grants matter because they:

• Provides funding for new or existing agribusinesses to support development, including purchasing equipment, seeds, or livestock.
• Agricultural grants support research, education, and demonstration projects related to sustainable farming practices.
• Helps to promote value-added agricultural activities, such as processing and marketing farm products.
• Encouraging environmental stewardship and adaptation to climate change through innovative practices.

Types of Agricultural Grants

Agricultural grants come in various forms and are typically categorised based on their specific purposes. Some of these include:

• Sustainable Agriculture Grants: These grants support projects that promote environmentally friendly farming practices, such as organic farming, soil conservation, water management, and agroecology. They help farmers adopt profitable and environmentally friendly methods.
• Speciality Crop Grants: These grants are for producers of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other non-traditional crops. They are designed to enhance the competitiveness of these products and may fund research, marketing campaigns, or educational initiatives related to speciality crops.
• Agricultural Research and Innovation Grants: They are crucial for advancing the agricultural sector. They fund research projects that address challenges like climate change, food safety, pest resistance, and improving crop yields.
• Beginning Farmer and Rancher Grants: These programs are specifically designed for new farmers and ranchers, providing funding for training, education, and resources to help them establish and succeed in their ventures.
• Farm Safety Grants: Safety Grants promote farm safety awareness and provide education and training to farmers and their families on the proper use, maintenance, and other equipment safety measures.
• Rural Development Grants: These grants aim to enhance rural economies and can be utilised for various projects, including business development, infrastructure improvements, and agricultural practices in rural areas.

Agricultural Grant Providers and Programs

Occasionally, agricultural grants become available to farmers, agripreneurs and agribusiness. Here are some that you can watch out for that provide  funding opportunities and support mechanisms to farmers:

1. Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP)

The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) is a multilateral financing model that supports agricultural investment in low-income countries to combat hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It focuses on projects led by Producer Organisations such as farmer cooperatives and associations, rather than individual farmers. This collective approach strengthens bargaining power, promotes economies of scale, and enables impactful projects that individuals could not achieve independently. 

GAFSP funding benefits members through improved capacity, increased income, enhanced food security, and enhanced climate resilience initiatives. Calls for proposals are usually launched in the first half of the year, allowing organised farmer groups to monitor them annually.

2. French Committee for International Solidarity (CFSI)

The French Committee for International Solidarity (CFSI), in partnership with Fondation de France, funds projects that strengthen small-scale family farming in West Africa. Its “Promotion of Family Farming Program” supports sustainable local food chains, climate-adapted agriculture, and improved nutrition. Grants are awarded to partnerships between European and West African non-profit organisations, farmer associations, NGOs, and training or research institutions. 

This cross-continental collaboration model ensures knowledge exchange and shared accountability. Applications are typically invited in the first quarter of the year, and grants can last one to three years, benefiting family farms and local food systems.

3. African Development Bank (AfDB) Initiatives

The African Development Bank (AfDB) funds large-scale programs that transform agricultural systems, improve infrastructure, and promote climate-smart agriculture. Through initiatives like the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), the MicroGREEN Project, and partnerships with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the AfDB indirectly benefits farmers by improving access to markets, processing facilities, skills, and climate-resilient technologies. While it does not provide small individual grants, its investments enable agribusiness owners, farmer cooperatives, and agri-entrepreneurs to thrive.

4. World Bank’s West Africa Food System Resilience Program (FSRP)

The World Bank’s FSRP works across several West African countries to improve food security, climate resilience, and crisis preparedness. It funds initiatives that provide farmers with improved seeds, fertilisers, digital advisory services, and climate-smart agricultural practices. The program also includes an emergency response component to address crises such as floods or droughts. 

Although participation is through national and regional partners rather than direct individual applications, it is a recurring funding channel to watch, especially for organisations supporting crop and livestock farmers, small producers, and processors.

5. Other Opportunities and Supports

Several other initiatives regularly support agricultural development in Africa. The EU Horizon Europe Africa Initiative III funds research and innovation partnerships between African and European institutions, often in sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation. Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One) invests in crop innovations and technologies that benefit smallholder farmers in Africa and South Asia.

 AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) focuses on systemic improvements in seeds, soils, markets, and financing. Although some past calls, such as the Agribusiness Challenge Fund, have closed, they illustrate the types of funding that may reappear and are worth monitoring.

Application Process for Agricultural Grants 

1. Do Your Research: Before dedicating significant time to an application, it is important for you to research the grant itself. This involves understanding the funder’s specific grant-making priorities, any geographic focus, and whether your entity (individual, organisation, SME) is eligible. For instance, some funders prioritise organic farming, while others might focus on specific value chains or climate adaptation strategies. Therefore, your understanding of the purpose of the grant and reviewing past awards can provide valuable context on the expected content, duration, and peculiarities of successful applications.  
2. Adherence to Instructions: Every grant opportunity comes with its unique set of requirements and instructions. You must follow the guidelines provided strictly. Some may include answering questions in the order they are listed, utilising the funder’s specified headings and terminology, and completing all provided forms without adding unnecessary information. Applications with missing or incomplete required documents often face rejection.  
3. Identify the Project’s Need: A well-detailed and compelling proposal that effectively conveys a real problem that you or your community is facing and presents a feasible, well-thought-out solution puts you at an advantage. Grant reviewers are more inclined to support projects that address a specific, tangible issue, rather than providing general support. You must explain precisely why your project is necessary, whether it relates to improving crop health, land use, water management, or business operations.  
4. Make Your Outcomes Measurable: Clearly state your project goals and objectives. You can do this by describing the steps you will take to implement the project. Enumerate the quantifiable outcomes, such as “increase yield by X%” or “reduce water usage by Y%,” provide concrete evidence of anticipated impact and help reviewers understand the benefits of your proposal.  
5. Develop a Realistic Budget: Your budget should clearly outline the funds being requested and explain how each line item was calculated. Provide a clear justification for why each expense is needed and what work it will support. While it is essential to be thorough, avoid inflating numbers, as this can complicate reporting if funding is received.  
6. Tell a Compelling Story: While maintaining professionalism, a grant application benefits from a concise narrative that resonates with them. Briefly introduce your farm or organisation, explain the challenge, and articulate how the grant will make a difference to your operation, connecting your goals with the funder’s objectives. The narrative should be straightforward for anyone to understand, avoiding excessive jargon.  
7. Seek Professional Review: Many applications get rejected because applicants fail to seek expert feedback. Successful applicants often write multiple drafts and share their proposals with technical advisors for review. Platforms like AgroCentric can provide professional support to ensure your proposal is coherent, aligns with funders’ priorities, and is free of avoidable errors.

Securing an agricultural grant is a highly competitive process that demands meticulous preparation, a clear understanding of the funder’s objectives, and a well-crafted proposal. 

Agriculture grants available to Africa present opportunities for growth and sustainability. Funders, such as GAFSP, AfDB, and the World Bank, focus on systemic impact through cooperatives, research, and infrastructure, rather than directly supporting individual farmers. 

To access these opportunities, African farmers must strengthen their collective organisations, form strategic partnerships, and align projects with funders’ priorities, such as climate resilience, digital integration, and empowering youth and women. 

A well-structured, evidence-based application with measurable outcomes is crucial for assessing funding and driving transformative growth across the continent’s agricultural sector.