South Africa, Africa To address the lack of skills of emerging commercial and small-scale farmers and processors

Apart from rapid enomonical growth and development, South Africa has been struggling with different challenges in agricultural development. For this project, according to the country focus points, two were chosen to work on: to contribute to end hunger (SDG 2) and to end poverty in all forms (SDG 1). This in order to contribute to the following long-term impacts:

Promotion of agricultural growth: South Africa’s target for agricultural growth is set at 6% per year. Improved skills and labour productivity are crucial in achieving this goal. The main area for this is Western Cape. This is the leading agricultural exporter and is a major economy in the province. The sector employs around 180‚000 workers‚ with agro-processing adding another 126‚000 jobs to the economy (15% of the provincial labour force). The project supports skills-based training of this work force, resulting in inclusive agricultural growth.

Creating ecologically sustainable food systems: Climate change-related variability and reduced rainfall patterns requires a drastic reduction in overall water use in agriculture (up to 40%). For this, an increase in efficiency of water use through improved technologies and knowledge systems is needed. This will be the main ecological focus of the project: a better educated labour force at A-TVET level, using best practices from the Western Cape, to contribute to a nationwide sustainable production.

Reducing malnutrition: Improved agriculture production and productivity, as a result of skilled A-TVET graduates, improves access to and affordability of food. Increased employment opportunities for skilled members of disadvantaged groups will provide a significant secondary contribution to improve food security and reduce malnutrition.

As part of our previous project (OKP-SAF-10023), a labour market needs assessment and curriculum reviews on horticulture related accredited programmes were executed to identify needs and shortcomings. As a result, this project also includes online learning capacity building efforts, based on the delivery of a first online course by Elsenburg and Boland in January 2021.

In the field of horticulture and agriculture production, the following needs were identified:

• Farm management and crop production skills
• Quality standards and certification skills
• Finance and risk assessment skills
• Continued skills development through external high-quality short courses
• Digitalisation (data collection, monitoring systems, ICT) & technical competencies
• Crop protection & IPM
• Post-harvest management and techniques
• Crop cultivation under water shortage / poor water quality circumstances
• Soil, water, irrigation and fertilisation methods, monitoring and management
• Processing related subjects, e.g.: inclusive value (and cold) chain management, value addition and export marketing

For this TMT+ training project, MSM, Q-Point, Stellenbosch University, Boland and Elsenburg College collaborate in five key areas according to the triple helix approach (collaboration of public, private and educational sector):

1. Developing the occupational standard
2. Matching with industry skills-needs
3. Introducing the dual system and apprenticeship approach,
4. Providing an inclusive gender, youth & marginalised groups focus and practice
5. Establishing practical PPP support structures.

Services rendered by Q-Point

Project coordination and provision of training and expertise for gender sentitive, educational programme development to be taught at college level. This includes hands-on skills and training for emerging and small-holder farmers and benefits both Boland and Elsenburg as well as the farming sector in producing marketable and skilful students, which is crucial to contribute to the farming sector.

The focus is on agro-processing where training will also directly involve emerging and smallholder farmers. The training addresses the lack of skills of emerging commercial and small-scale farmers.