The youth are the future of agriculture

“Let’s make agriculture fashionable.”
This is the vision shared by Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha–Mthethwa, who hosted a youth engagement event at Thembela Venue outside Empangeni last Thursday.

Youth unemployment remains a pressing issue, with an estimated unemployment rate of 60.9% between the ages of 15 to 24, and 40.6% from ages 25 to 34.

Promoting entrepreneurship, agricultural development, food security and sustainable agricultural production, the event celebrated those who play a vital role in the sector, including young farmers, agricultural stakeholders and departmental representatives.

“The department is committed to hiring young people,” explained kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.

“This year alone, we have employed over 300 people, and we are convinced that by the end of the year, we will have employed over 500 people in this sector. This is not people who are under the Expanded Public Works Programme.”

Through this, the youth is being encouraged to transform agriculture by venturing into innovative opportunities, skills training programmes and economic development with the department’s support.

During the previous financial year, R17m was spent across such projects. These include incubation programmes, bursaries, learnerships and skills training programmes.

Additionally, the MEC addressed how the department has employed young people to assist with the foot and mouth disease vaccination programme, as well as appointing extension officers to assist farmers in communities.

“The youth are the future of this country, and hiring young people who are determined to see the development of communities means that when we invest in the youth, we are investing in the country’s future,” said the MEC.

Phone: 033 3559100
Physical address: 1 Cedara Road, Cedara, Pietermaritzburg 3200
Postal address: Private Bag X9059, Pietermaritzburg, 3200
Website: www.kzndard.gov.za