Dept awards 25 bursaries for agriculture and land courses

They will study at universities across the country, said spokesperson, Putsoa Makua, for the provincial Department of Agriculture and Land Administration which awarded the bursaries, on Monday.

He said the bursaries, worth a total of R3 million, will cover tuition fees, accommodation and books.

The bursaries include three for veterinary science, three for veterinary technology, three for veterinary nursing, five for agricultural engineering, seven for environmental management, one for land surveying and three for town planning.

Makua said the aim of the bursary programme was to alleviate shortages of scarce skills in the department.

As part of the department's human resource development strategy, 108 students were also enrolled at various institutions by the end of 2007, while 44 officials from the department were also enrolled as part time students.

"The number of bursaries allocated has grown phenomenally from five in 2003 to 25 this year,” said Makua.

He said that when MEC Dina Pule awarded the bursaries last Thursday, she reminded the students that they will not be studying for themselves but for the province and the country at large.

“She also called upon other school pupils to take mathematics and science as subjects because they open doors to further learning and a wide range of careers,” he said.

Makua said the department was encouraged by the level of interest shown by young people in the agricultural field.

Those who do not qualify for tertiary education can apply for opportunities in departmental programmes such as the land care and Masibuyele emasimini (go back to the field) projects.

“The MEC believes that each community should be involved in the production of its own food.

Those who have plots or small pieces of land should plant vegetables or crops for household consumption,” Makua said.

The department, he said also would like to encourage the youth to play a leading role in the programme to green the province by planting fruit and indigenous trees and recycling.

“The youth in their respective municipalities and wards should play a leading role in environmental management and recycling,” he said.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews