By Maile Matsimela

In an address at the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority’s (INSETA) STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programme in Zebediela last week, Limpopo’s MEC for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), Nakedi Kekana, outlined a visionary approach to transforming the province’s agricultural sector.

Speaking to an audience primarily of young agricultural aspirants, MEC Kekana emphasised that Limpopo’s combination of fertile soil, favourable climate, and rich farming heritage creates unprecedented economic growth and community development opportunities.

“Agriculture is not a relic of the past,” declared MEC Kekana, “but rather the foundation upon which economic growth, innovation, and independence can be built.”

Central to MEC Kekana’s vision is the positioning of young people as the driving force behind agricultural renewal in the province. The MEC made a compelling case for agriculture as a viable and rewarding career path that offers diverse opportunities beyond traditional farming.

“Our youth must see themselves not just as farm workers but as agricultural entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders,” MEC Kekana stated. Her address highlighted that thriving agriculture in the modern context requires combining traditional knowledge and contemporary skills in business management, technology, and sustainable practices.

Kekana says that LDARD, under her leadership, has committed to providing comprehensive support systems, including specialised training programs targeting young farmers, mentorship initiatives connecting novice farmers with experienced practitioners, access to resources and land for agricultural ventures, and support for agri-technology adoption and innovation.

Perhaps most striking was MEC Kekana’s emphasis on women’s transformative role in Limpopo’s agricultural sector. “We need to empower young women to become leaders in agriculture—not just as farmers but as landowners, entrepreneurs, and technology adopters,” she asserted.

The MEC outlined several initiatives to increase female participation in agriculture, such as women-focused agricultural training programmes, mentorship networks connecting established female farmers with newcomers, preferential access to agricultural resources, support for women-led farming enterprises, and the recognition and promotion of female agricultural leaders.

MEC Kekana’s approach recognises that the transformation of the agricultural sector requires a collaborative effort. Her address called for strategic partnerships between government departments, educational institutions, industry players, and non-governmental organisations.

MEC Kekana acknowledged, “The challenges we face in agriculture cannot be addressed by government alone,” saying, “we need INSETA, TVET colleges, private agricultural enterprises, and community organisations to join hands in developing skilled, young black farmers who will ensure the sector’s continued growth.”

This collaborative approach seeks to establish a seamless pipeline from education to practical farming, ensuring that theoretical knowledge is paired with hands-on experience and market access.

Throughout her address, MEC Kekana frequently returned to the skills development theme as the cornerstone of agricultural transformation. “In today’s competitive market environment, skills development is not optional but essential,” she emphasised.

The LDARD has established itself as a facilitator of skills acquisition, with MEC Kekana pledging departmental resources for practical farming training, business management education, marketing and distribution knowledge, and sustainable, climate-smart agricultural practices.

MEC Kekana concluded her address with a powerful call to action, urging young people to utilise available resources to become Limpopo’s next generation of agricultural leaders.

“Our department is committed to helping transform classrooms into farms and skills into success,” she promised, outlining a vision where theoretical knowledge directly translates into productive agricultural enterprises.”