Agri-entrepreneurs empowered with skills in job creation, food security and rural development

Delegates who have successfully completed the Agricultural Enterprise Management Programme, with representatives from Agri SA, Agri SETA and CE at UP.

These are the words of Mr Hendrik Ackermann, chairman of Agri SA's labour and social policy committee, commenting on the importance of all role-players in the sector that are obliged to prepare new entrants in Agriculture with the necessary knowledge and skills to make a success of their farming endeavours.

With 20 delegates from various provinces and commodity branches being trained in the inaugural Agricultural Enterprise Management Programme presented by Continuing Education at University of Pretoria Trust (CE at UP), Agri SA hosted a certificate ceremony during the first quarter of 2015 in recognition of the first group of delegates who have successfully completed the programme.

Established in co-operation with Agri SA's labour and social policy committee, as well as the expertise afforded by the University of Pretoria (UP), the training programme has specifically been developed with the assistance from AgriSETA to focus on the empowerment, continued education and preparation of new entrants to the Agricultural Sector.

Mr Hendrik Ackermann, chairman of Agri SA’s labour and social policy committee, congratulating delegates on making a positive contribution to job creation, food security and rural development.

"[What] is needed in South Africa, is training," Mr Johannes Möller, President of Agri SA, added on the night of the ceremony. "I want to congratulate [all the delegates] and the people who trained you with the achievement of this momentous occasion."

The programme covers topics on business management, production and operational management, and risk and resource management. It offers a unique learning journey that facilitates delegates through all the required skill sets to achieve personal entrepreneurial development. It also introduces the impact of the agri-entrepreneur on the socioeconomic environment in southern Africa while channelling discussion on the effective and efficient management of the agri-business.

Mr Johannes Moller, President of Agri SA, encouraging delegates and guests at certificate ceremony to make a commitment to lifelong learning and development.

Among the celebrated delegates were Agri SA's Deputy President, Phineas Gumede, and Transformation Manager, Livhu Ngwekhulu (who received his certificate with distinction). Zama Buthelezi from Potatoes South Africa also completed the programme with top distinction.

Joined by Agri SA's executive and management team, including Hans van der Merwe (Executive Director of Agri SA), the ceremony was also attended by prominent academic and industry role-players Dr Fanie Terblanché (lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics at UP) and Dr Alex Antonites (lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and head of the UP Business Incubator).

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Hermien Dorfling (General Manager: CE at UP) and Estelle Viviers (Manager: Client-Specific Programmes at CE at UP) also presented their commitment to continuously render quality service in terms of lifelong learning to the Agricultural Sector by attending the ceremony.

"I am of the opinion that this training programme is a step in the right direction and that the Agricultural Sector will in due course enjoy the fruit of this initiative. I hope that, with the [continuous] financial support of AgriSETA, more of these training programmes will be offered in future," Mr Ackermann added on the outcomes of the course.

CE at UP would like to congratulate all the delegates who have successfully completed the programme. We wish them all a prosperous year ahead - knowing that they have experienced a memorable journey and that they are fully prepared for the challenges that they may face in 2015.