The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development Agrarian reform will place 120 unemployed agricultural, forestry and fisheries graduates into commercial farming jobs this week.
More than 100 agricultural graduates will spend the next two years gaining experience in the field in the hope that one day they will sow back what they learn into the country’s farming future.
In partnership with local agricultural businesses, the Eastern Cape department of rural development & agrarian reform (DRDAR) will place 120 unemployed youth under 40 into various farms across the district.
Funding for the placement programme was made possible through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP).
Agrarian department head Siphokazi Ndudane said this programme aimed to widen the pool of young entrepreneurs in the agricultural space to try to address some of the province’s biggest problems.
“The Eastern Cape has the highest unemployment rate in the country, we are leading in food insecurity in the country, and we’ve got the highest number of youth that is sitting at home idling,” Ndudane said.
She further said,the aim is not just to get them for two years ,we want them to learn how they can then think for themselves on how to create the needed jobs.
The Eastern Cape has been praised for its good soils and good weather but we have literally been stuck at the potential. – said Ndudane.
“The Eastern Cape has been praised for its good soils and good weather but we have literally been stuck at the potential.” said Ndudane.
