HUMAN RESOURCES
The two sides of agri-students. On the one hand
1 500 new students register with agri-colleges
every year. However, only one third of the
students complete their studies.
Tertiary education opportunity for
young producers
Tertiary education at a university or agricultural college is not possible for many young
producers as a result of practical or financial reasons. But there is a solution to their
problem.
By Emmie Pietersen
Director: Peritum Group
T
he Free State Red Meat Producer
Organisation voiced concern
in 2012 about the number of
enthusiastic young farmers in
South Africa missing the opportunity for
tertiary education. The reality is that many
a young farmer who wants to qualify him
or her in an agri-related field, is unable to
attend a university on a full-time basis for
one of three reasons.
In SA many young farmers are already
actively involved in farming when they
64
SENWES SCENARIO | SUMMER 2018
leave school. This could be due to the
extent of the farming operations, the
death of a parent or simply because he/
she does not want to waste more time but
wants to pursue his/her passion immedi-
ately.
The costs relating to full time studies at
a tertiary institution are also a huge chal-
lenge for many young farmers, particularly
in view of the poor economy and droughts
over the past few years.
In other instances, young learners pre-
fer a study environment with a practical
curriculum rather than a purely academic
approach and, due to the collapse of
quality education offered by agricultural
colleges, there are no opportunities. The
ASUF report on the state of education
in South Africa indicated that, although
approximately 1 500 new students register
at agricultural colleges every year, a mere
170 graduate annually and only one third
of the students complete their studies.
The Peritum Agri Institute, a private
college for agricultural studies, answered
the call and developed part-time stud-
ies which offer an opportunity to young
people who are interested in agriculture
to obtain a formal National Diploma in
Animal Production or Grain Production on
a part-time basis.
The curriculum consists of seven