The Lovedale NARYSEC partnership has produced another group of exceptional young people through their agricultural projects. This initiative encourages learners to be self-sufficient by opening co-ops, creating their own wealth, and building a better future for themselves.
Thirty learners under the NARYSEC project participated in a nine-month skills programme funded by the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform. This past week, they received their agricultural tools supplied by Lovedale’s Partnership and Linkages Unit. The programme combines theoretical and practical training, providing learners with administrative skills, marketing strategies, business planning, and advertising. These aspects of the programme were supported by MICT SETA and Services SETA.
These thirty learners were divided into small groups and supplied with essential farming equipment, including wheelbarrows, shovels, fork spades, hosepipes, sprinklers, fertilizer, watering cans, a builder’s line, tape measures, insecticides, rakes, and PPE. The farming equipment assists them in their practical learning, and they must complete their training to receive a Certificate in Crop Production, a Level 3 qualification accredited by Agri SETA.
The Crop Production qualification aims to cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship among young people. It consists of business management skills and marketing strategies with agriculture at its core. The programme was introduced to address the decreasing level of Lucerne grass production in the Keiskammahoek and Cofimvaba areas, which historically have a substantial background in Lucerne production.
The Department of Rural Development identified these areas and selected students from each to specialize in Lucerne grass production. The students received training in Farming and Mechanization at Lovedale TVET College's Alice campus, where they learned about planting, soil preparation, tool handling, adequate fertilization, plant propagation, water irrigation, and more.
The Partnership and Linkages Unit (PLU) facilitates the entire project from its inception until the students are ready to start their own co-operatives. During this period, the PLU assists and monitors their progress for two months. Working together with the SEDA offices, the PLU further aims to assist the students by helping them start their co-ops and to apply for funding through the SEDA office.
NB: Click the pictures on the right to expand.
