The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has committed to creating 1 500 employment opportunities and expanding agricultural skills development during the 2026/27 financial year as part of its drive to stimulate rural economic growth and strengthen the province’s agricultural sector.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
Delivering his budget vote speech in Mahikeng earlier this week, MEC Madoda Sambatha said the department’s plans align with government’s Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) Strategic Priority One of Inclusive Growth and Job Creation.
Job creation remains a priority
The employment opportunities will be created through several departmental programmes, with the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) expected to generate the largest share at 611 jobs. Rural Development Initiatives will create 350 jobs, while the LandCare Programme will provide 208 employment opportunities. Additional positions will be created through the Kgora Coffee Project (105), placements for unemployed agriculture graduates (140), Animal Health (40), Agricultural Advisors (25) and Agricultural Assistant Practitioners (21).
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Investing in farmer skills
Beyond job creation, the department has allocated R83.5 million to agricultural education and training as part of its nearly R1.3 billion budget.
Sambatha said 2 200 farmers will receive training during the financial year in plant and animal production, horticulture, agro-processing, South African Good Agricultural Practices (SAGAP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) compliance. The training programme has been allocated R8.3 million and will be delivered primarily in partnership with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).
The department has also budgeted R10.65 million for farmer training and mentorship, while R12.05 million has been allocated for the training and stipends of 120 unemployed agriculture graduates enrolled in its Trainee Entrepreneur Programme. Together, these initiatives represent an investment of more than R22.7 million in agricultural capacity building.
Most of the training will take place at the Kgora Farmer Training Centre, while livestock practical sessions will be conducted at Klipkuil Research Farm.
Sambatha announced that 103 participants from the third cohort of the department’s Agri-preneurship Programme, implemented in partnership with the North-West University (NWU) Business School, successfully completed their training in March this year. A fourth intake of 140 participants is expected to begin the programme in July.
The department will further strengthen farmer support by placing nine agricultural enterprises under an eight-month mentorship programme during the 2026/27 financial year.
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Strengthening agricultural education
Investment in agricultural education also remains a priority. The province’s two agricultural colleges have enrolled a combined 473 students this academic year, with Taung Agricultural College accommodating 222 students and Potchefstroom College of Agriculture enrolling 251.
This year, 68 students graduated with Diplomas in Agriculture (Mixed Farming) from Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, while 46 students received Diplomas in Agriculture (Irrigation) from Taung Agricultural College.
To improve the quality of agricultural education, the department is working with North-West University to develop an articulation model that will strengthen academic programmes at both colleges. The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations is also in the process of accrediting the institutions to offer short learning programmes aimed at equipping farmers with practical production skills.
Through CASP funding, the department is implementing a College Revitalisation Programme to upgrade infrastructure, improve teaching and learning facilities and enhance student support services at both colleges.
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Improving food safety and market access
The College Revitalisation Programme will also strengthen food safety and market access by assisting at least 20 farmers to achieve South African Good Agricultural Practices (SAGAP) certification. Awareness workshops on GlobalG.A.P. standards will also be introduced ahead of the 2027/28 student intake.
As part of efforts to improve value chain development, the department will establish five accredited horticultural product handling facilities with HACCP compliance. The facilities will be located at Lucydale in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District; Farmer Hope, Casper and Morogong in the Bojanala District; and Mor Farming in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
Sambatha said these investments demonstrate the department’s commitment to improving market access for farmers while working with municipalities to establish farmers’ markets and operational fresh produce markets across the province.
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