Agricultural graduates get a boost

UNEMPLOYED agricultural graduates from the Northern Cape have been placed in various sectors of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, in an attempt reduce the high youth unemployment rate in the Province.

The initiative, which is a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and commodity organisations/ farms, saw 26 graduates being placed after government identified agriculture as a key job driver.

The aim is to create about 1 million jobs in the sector by 2030.

Of the 26 graduates, 11 were appointed by Dry Fruits Technical Services in the ZF Mgcawu District while 13 will be starting soon after induction and contract signing in Pixley ka Seme District Municipality. The remaining two from Namaqua are expected to start at the Rooibos Tea Plant in Nieuwoudtville.

The objectives of the initiative include providing unemployed agricultural, forestry and fisheries graduates with opportunities to gain on-the job experience, to contribute to the acceleration of food production through the development of a pool of competent young producers, to bridge the gap of ageing producers and to reduce the high unemployment rate among youth and also to fight poverty.

- Norma Wildenboer