Heifer International Livestock and Agribusiness Support Programme

About this opportunity

Heifer International gives grants, livestock, and training to smallholder farmers and rural agribusinesses in Nigeria and nine other African countries. You must commit to their community training and pass resources to other families as you grow.

Who can apply

• Smallholder farming households in rural areas below the poverty line
• Women's farming groups with formal registration and leadership structures
• Youth-led agribusinesses in agriculture, livestock, dairy, poultry, aquaculture or agroforestry
• Registered agricultural cooperatives with documented membership
• Community-based organisations with constitutions and elected leadership

Not eligible

• Urban-based businesses without a rural farming focus
• Groups without formal registration or recognised leadership
• Applicants unwilling to participate in Heifer's community development training programme

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Documents you will need

• Proof of group registration (for cooperatives and women's groups) or personal identity documentation
• Leadership structure and contact details for group officers
• Description of current farming or agribusiness activity and land size or livestock holdings
• Details of the livestock or agricultural enterprise you plan to develop
• Evidence of community support or endorsement from local leaders
• Bank account details or proof of access to a bank account for receiving funds

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How to apply, step by step

1. Confirm your farming household, youth enterprise, or group meets the eligibility criteria, particularly the poverty line threshold and rural location requirement
2. Gather documentation showing your current farming activity, group registration (if applicable), and leadership structure
3. Contact Heifer International's Nigeria office or your local programme coordinator to express interest and request an application form
4. Complete the application form with details of your enterprise, the livestock or agricultural focus area, and your household or group's needs and capacity
5. Submit the form with supporting documents to Heifer International by your local deadline or as directed by the programme officer
6. Participate in any initial assessment visits or interviews conducted by Heifer staff in your community

How applications are selected

What reviewers look for

• Applications showing women's leadership or youth involvement score higher—emphasise this if your group or enterprise fits
• Demonstrate commitment to Heifer's training programme; applicants viewing this as optional rather than core usually score lower
• Show evidence that your group or household is genuinely below the poverty line and in a rural area; urban applicants or those above the threshold are unlikely to progress
• Formal group registration with a constitution and named officers is mandatory for cooperatives and women's groups; applications from unregistered collectives will not advance
• Clarity on which livestock or crop enterprise you will focus on (dairy, poultry, aquaculture, agroforestry) is expected; vague or multi-sector applications are weaker

Frequently asked questions

Guide written from the official programme page on 16 October 2026. Funders change their rules, so confirm the details on the official page before you apply.

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