An investment in agriculture can potentially provide a solution to youth unemployment. Investing in the countries most lucrative sectors such as farming and agriculture will not only boost the agricultural sector but contribute greatly to the economy.
Various institutions have taken the initiative to provide the necessary support to their students who are looking to pursue careers in agriculture.
Institutions such as the University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN) School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES) has taken the initiative to further upskill its students through its collaboration with the Agriculture Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA)
UKZN has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AgriSETA and through this collaboration, it looks to work together in research within the authority’s focus areas and in training that will boost the agricultural sector in South Africa.
“By developing sustainable thematic research focus areas, we aim to build long-term projects and research teams which are sustainable beyond individualistic research projects,” said Dean and Head of SAEES Professor Fhatuwani Mudau.
The collaboration will provide an opportunity for the UKZN to produce strong proactive and participatory training and development components, contribute to the development of researchers and postgraduate students, be trans- or multi-disciplinary, feature diverse teams, focus on scarce skill areas and include robust knowledge dissemination plans.
“By establishing key partnerships with Higher Education Institutions, we ensure better quality research material for the agricultural sector and also advance our skills development focus areas,” said AgriSETA’s CEO Mr Zenzele Myeza.
