Building the Agricultural Skills Farmers Need for the Future

The skills available to farmers and agricultural businesses can have a direct impact on productivity, production costs and the ability to keep up with changes in the sector. This was at the centre of discussions in Mbombela when the national Department of Agriculture convened stakeholders to consider the Priority Skills and Occupations in Demand in the Agriculture Sector Report. The report provides a framework for identifying the skills and occupations needed to support the growth and development of agriculture. For farmers, the issue is not simply about having more people entering the agricultural sector, but about ensuring that workers have the practical and technical abilities required on farms and throughout the agricultural value chain. The discussions therefore highlighted the need for skills development that responds to the realities faced by producers and agricultural businesses.

Stakeholders including Grain SA and Forek participated in the meeting, bringing perspectives from different areas of the agricultural sector. Their involvement is important because skills shortages are experienced differently across farming operations and agricultural value chains. A grain producer, for example, may require workers with strong machinery, crop management and technology skills, while forestry and other agricultural industries may have different technical requirements. Farmers also need people who understand basic farm management, record keeping, health and safety, maintenance and efficient use of inputs. Bringing these needs into discussions about agricultural education can help ensure that training is connected to the actual work taking place on farms.

The presentation on Priority Skills and Occupations in Demand in Agriculture provided an overview of the framework and how it can help identify skills needed within the sector. For producers, identifying priority skills can help draw attention to areas where finding suitably trained workers remains difficult. Skills gaps can affect farms in several ways, particularly when workers are expected to operate machinery, use new technologies or carry out specialised production tasks without sufficient training. Farmers may then have to spend additional time and resources providing training themselves, while mistakes caused by a lack of skills can affect productivity and operating costs. A better understanding of the occupations in demand can help training providers focus on skills that have practical value in farming operations.

Modern agriculture requires a wider range of skills than traditional perceptions of farming may suggest. Farmers increasingly work with mechanisation, digital systems, precision agriculture, data, improved irrigation methods, animal health technologies and changing production practices. Workers need to understand how to use equipment correctly, identify problems early and follow production procedures that protect both the farm and the quality of agricultural products. At the same time, basic practical skills remain essential, particularly in crop production, livestock handling, maintenance and general farm operations. Agricultural training therefore needs to strike a balance between new technology and the practical knowledge required to keep a farm running every day.

For livestock producers, skilled workers can make an important difference to animal health and productivity. Workers need to understand proper animal handling, feeding, basic disease prevention measures, identification and reporting of health problems. They also need to know how to work safely around animals and follow procedures that reduce unnecessary stress and losses. In crop production, workers require knowledge of planting, fertiliser application, pest and disease monitoring, irrigation and harvesting practices. When these skills are strengthened through appropriate training, farmers can build more capable teams and reduce some of the risks associated with poorly performed production tasks.

Machinery and technology are another important part of the skills discussion. Agricultural equipment is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and farmers need workers who can operate machinery safely and efficiently while recognising basic maintenance and technical problems. Poor machinery operation can lead to breakdowns, delays and unnecessary costs, particularly during time-sensitive periods such as planting and harvesting. Digital farming tools are also becoming more common, creating demand for workers who can collect, interpret and use production information. Training that combines practical machinery experience with technological knowledge can help farms make better use of the equipment and systems available to them.

The meeting also included an update on the Agriculture Education and Training Strategy, including its development and the modalities for implementation. For farmers, the importance of such a strategy will ultimately be measured by whether it helps produce workers and agricultural professionals who are prepared for real conditions in the sector. Training institutions need to understand what producers require, while farmers and agricultural organisations need opportunities to communicate the skills gaps they are experiencing. Stronger cooperation between training institutions and the agricultural industry can help make courses more practical and relevant. Work-based learning, practical training and exposure to actual farming conditions can also help learners understand how their knowledge is applied once they enter the workplace.

The need for relevant skills extends beyond the farm gate because agriculture depends on a much wider value chain. Farmers rely on people working in input supply, agricultural machinery, animal health, crop protection, storage, transport, processing, marketing and financial services. A shortage of skills in one part of this chain can create challenges for producers in another part. For example, limited technical skills can affect machinery maintenance, while weaknesses in logistics can delay the movement of agricultural products to markets. Developing skills across the entire value chain can therefore strengthen the systems that farmers depend on to produce, handle and sell their products.

The discussions also have significance for young people who are considering agriculture as a career. Farming is no longer limited to working directly with crops and livestock, as the sector needs technicians, scientists, managers, financial specialists, environmental practitioners, data specialists, machinery operators and many other professionals. Clear information about occupations in demand can help young people choose training and qualifications that connect with genuine opportunities in agriculture. It can also help demonstrate that agriculture offers careers across different levels of technical and professional expertise. Encouraging young people to develop practical and relevant skills can contribute to the renewal of the agricultural workforce while helping address shortages experienced by producers and agricultural businesses.

For farmers, the value of improved agricultural skills ultimately comes down to what happens on the ground. A well-trained worker can contribute to better production practices, safer machinery use, improved animal care, more accurate record keeping and more efficient use of farm inputs. Skilled workers can also help farmers introduce new technologies and adapt to changes in production and market requirements. However, training needs to remain relevant as farming methods, technology and business conditions continue to change. Continued engagement between producers, agricultural organisations, training institutions and government can help ensure that skills development remains connected to the needs of working farms.

The Mbombela discussions have highlighted an important issue for the future of South African agriculture: farmers need access to people with the right skills to keep their operations productive and competitive. The Priority Skills and Occupations in Demand in the Agriculture Sector Report provides a framework for identifying these needs, while the Agriculture Education and Training Strategy provides an opportunity to strengthen the way agricultural skills are developed and delivered. The involvement of organisations such as Grain SA and Forek also shows the value of bringing industry experience into discussions about the agricultural workforce. If training initiatives remain closely connected to the practical requirements of producers, they can help farmers build stronger teams and make better use of modern production systems. Developing the right skills at farm level and across the wider value chain will remain an important part of strengthening agricultural production, creating opportunities for young people and supporting the long-term resilience of the sector.