SAAGA Bursary 2027: BSc Agriculture Students, Closes 31 October

The South African Avocado Growers’ Association (SAAGA) has opened its 2027 Bursary Programme for students of colour studying towards a BSc Agriculture degree in Horticultural Science, Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness. Successful applicants receive funding for a full academic year, renewable annually based on performance. Applications close 31 October 2026, so get your documents ready now.

About the Programme

SAAGA is one of three associations managed by the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association (Subtrop), alongside the South African Litchi Growers’ Association and the South African Mango Growers’ Association. SAAGA exists to maximise returns for avocado growers by driving production efficiency, growing demand and advancing sustainability across the industry through cooperation and shared research.

Agriculture remains one of South Africa’s most important employers of rural youth, and the subtropical fruit sector in particular is short of qualified horticulturists, agricultural economists and agribusiness specialists. The SAAGA Bursary Programme was created to build a pipeline of black, coloured and Indian graduates into these roles, both to transform the sector and to secure its future skills base as older specialists retire.

What Is Covered

• Bursary funding reviewed annually based on student need
• Renewable each year of study, provided academic performance is satisfactory
• Available for Undergraduate, Honours and Master’s level study
• Funding tied to a contractual work-back agreement with Subtrop after graduation

RELATED: SAAFoST Bursary 2027: R60,000/Year for Food Science Students, Closes 30 October

Who Can Apply

• Must be a student of colour (Black, Coloured or Indian South African)
• Must have completed Matric
• Must be studying, or planning to study, towards a BSc Agriculture degree or equivalent
• Must be majoring in Horticultural Science, Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness
• Must be registered at a recognised, accredited South African tertiary institution
• Open to Undergraduate, Honours and Master’s students

Required Documents

• Certified copy of ID document
• Certified copy of Matric certificate
• Full academic transcript on the institution’s letterhead
• Motivational letter explaining why you should receive the bursary
• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
• Details of any other bursaries or scholarships currently held
• Three references with full name, relationship, email and phone number

How to Apply

1. Confirm you meet all eligibility requirements above
2. Download the Subtrop SAAGA Bursary Application Form
3. Complete the form in full and gather all certified supporting documents
4. Email the completed form and documents to delane@subtrop.co.za
5. Use the subject line “Subtrop SAAGA Bursary Application”
6. Submit before the closing date – late applications are not accepted

Apply at SAAGA / Subtrop

The closing date for the SAAGA Bursary 2027 is 31 October 2026. No late applications will be accepted.

Why It Matters

Agriculture employs a huge share of South Africa’s rural workforce, yet the sector has long struggled to attract young, qualified black professionals into technical and economic roles rather than only manual labour. The SAAGA Bursary directly targets that gap, funding students of colour into horticulture, agricultural economics and agribusiness qualifications that lead to real specialist careers in one of the country’s key export industries.

For a young person from a farming community, this bursary can mean staying in the sector they grew up around, but moving into a professional role with far better long-term earning potential. It also builds transformation into an industry that has historically been slow to change, while directly addressing South Africa’s shortage of local agricultural expertise at a time when food security and export competitiveness both depend on it.

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