AgriSETA, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, will host the highly anticipated Agri-Edu Symposium themed“Transforming Agricultural Education for a Sustainable Future” on Tuesday, 10 December at Unisa, Main Campus, Pretoria. The symposium aims to address urgent concerns around South Africa’s agricultural education system, spotlighting the need for curriculum reform to bridge the growing skills gap in the sector, foster innovation, and ensure the country’s agricultural future is resilient and sustainable.
The symposium will provide a platform for industry leaders, educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to come together and explore actionable solutions for aligning agricultural education with industry needs. The focus will be on equipping the next generation of farmers, agribusiness leaders, and agricultural professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive climate resilience, sustainability, and growth in the agricultural value chain. To this end, the alignment of curricula across the higher education institutions (HEI’s) will also take centre stage in the dialogue among sector experts and the education fraternity.
Key Themes to be Discussed:
- Agricultural Education Reform: Addressing the pressing need to update South Africa’s agricultural curriculum to meet modern industry demands and technological advancements.
- Bridging the Skills Gap in Agriculture: Tackling the disparity between academic qualifications and the skills needed in the workforce, ensuring that students are job-ready.
- Aligning Education with Industry Needs for Sustainability: Updating educational frameworks to incorporate sustainable farming practices, climate-smart agriculture, and modern production techniques.
- Fostering Innovation and Collaboration for Job Creation: Exploring the importance of partnerships between the private sector, government, and educational institutions to create a thriving agricultural workforce.
The symposium will emphasise the role of education reform in fostering job creation, skilling, and upskilling agriculturalists across the board and which encompasses the five main branches of agriculture, i.e., Agronomy, Animal Science, Economics, Horticulture and Engineering – as well as scarce and critical skills. all of which serves to ensure that South Africa’s agricultural sector remains competitive and aligned with global trends. Experts will address the importance of developing educational frameworks that respond to current and future challenges, including climate change, water scarcity, and the need for sustainable farming practices.
Ms. Gaitsiwe Sharon Sepeng, Chairperson of the AgriSETA Board, says: “We are at a critical juncture in South Africa’s agricultural journey. Our current agricultural education system does not adequately equip students with the skills required to meet the evolving demands of the industry. Industry leaders have consistently raised concerns about the gap between the qualifications of agricultural students and the skills needed to succeed in today’s fast-changing biosphere. It is time for a comprehensive curriculum overhaul that reflects modern production norms, technological advancements, and climate change adaptation. By aligning education with industry needs, we are not only ensuring job creation but also securing a sustainable agricultural future for South Africa.”
The growing concern among industry leaders is that while agricultural students may graduate with qualifications, they are entering the workforce without the practical skills necessary for success in the modern agricultural environment.
“As the country’s agricultural value chain faces increasing pressure due to climate change, the symposium will highlight the importance of equipping farmers with the tools to adapt to extreme weather conditions, such as the heat-related maize production failures South Africa has experienced. Educating farmers on climate-resilient farming practices and incorporating these into the curriculum is vital for the future of the agricultural industry”. Says Dr Innocent Sirovha, AgriSETA’s CEO.
The Agri-Edu Symposium will be attended by leading industry figures, academic professionals, government representatives, and agricultural stakeholders who are committed to building a sustainable, skilled workforce that will help South Africa meet its agricultural and environmental goals.
