Agricultural education and training

Introduction

The challenges facing the country include low literacy levels, which hinder the development of agricultural and other basic vocational skills.

The skills needed for agricultural production, food security and sustainable rural development include:

  • literacy and numeracy skills
  • basic decision-making and problem-solving
  • technical and vocational skills in agriculture, and land and water management
  • leadership, planning and management skills
  • social, interpersonal and communication skills
  • negotiation and facilitation skills
  • the critical thinking that is necessary for fostering innovation and change
  • food preservation and processing skills
  • marketing skills
  • business, income-generating and entrepreneurial skills
  • the awareness of social, political and legal institutions that is necessary for effective participation in civil society

Many of these skills could be considered the building blocks for success in the modern world and should be gained through primary and secondary education. Unfortunately, this has not been the case as the education system has failed many youngsters, especially in rural areas.

The provision of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) is a cornerstone in the work of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). Certainly generating literacy amongst farm workers remains one of the greatest challenges to our investment in people.

Along with the provision of skills and the capacity to perform, the spin-offs of education and training go beyond the workplace and staff morale: people become agents of change and positive participators in the development of their communities.

Contents

Contents

National strategy and government contact
Associations involved
Agricultural schools
Agricultural Training Institutes / Agricultural Colleges
Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges offering agriculture
Learnerships, apprenticeships and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Adult Basic Education Training (ABET) and General Training
AgriSETA accredited training providers
Agricultural Research Council (ARC) training
Universities
Websites and publications

National strategy and government contact

The National Development Plan (NDP) placed agriculture firmly on the agenda for the 15 years following its inception (NPC, 2011). Specifically, and in relation to Agricultural Education and Training (AET), the NDP calls for:

  • The creation of an additional one million jobs in the agriculture, agro-processing, and related sectors.
  • Increased investment in agricultural technologies, research, and the development of adaptation strategies.
  • Expanding the college system with a focus on improving quality.
  • Improved skills development and training in the agricultural sector, including entrepreneurship training. This should include the training of a new cadre of extension officers.
  • Investigation into whether extension and agricultural services are appropriately located at provincial level.
  • Innovative means for agricultural extension and training by the state in partnership with industries.

Additional targets of indirect relevance to AET include increasing enrolment at universities and increasing the percentage of PhD-qualified staff in the higher education sector.

Source: from the executive summary of Revitalising Agricultural Education and Training in South Africa. Find the details of the document under "Websites & publications".

Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) are part of the Infrastructure Plan developed by Government to support economic development and address service delivery in the poorest provinces. Each SIP comprises of specific infrastructure components and programmes. SIP 11 is Agri-logistics and rural infrastructure, and includes the expansion of agricultural colleges (see “Agricultural Training Institutes / Agricultural Colleges” heading).

The post-school education and training White Paper plans to expand the capacity of, access to, and the quality of South Africa’s higher education institutions. Find it at www.dhet.gov.za.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has partnered with the NEPAD Agency to implement the Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) project within the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

 

Government departments

Government departments of relevance to this page are the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and of course DALRRD. Find contact details for all departments at www.gov.za.

The two relevant directorates at DALRRD are:

  • Directorate: Sector Education & Training
  • Directorate: Sectoral Colleges

Information on them can be found at www.dalrrd.gov.za – take the “Branches” menu options.

 

Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) involved:

Agriculture Sectoral Education and Training Authority (AgriSETA) www.agriseta.co.za

The AgriSETA Board offers financial support to you as employer and employee in respect of training and development programmes.

FoodBev SETA is subdivided into five chambers:

  • Baking, Cereals, Confectionary & Snacks (BCCS)
  • Beverage Manufacturing
  • Dairy Manufacturing
  • Manufacture of Food Preparation Products
  • Processed and Preserved Meat, Fish, Fruit and Vegetables

Visit www.foodbev.co.za.

Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Education and Training Authority (FP&M SETA) www.fpmseta.org.za The SETA responsible for training in the forestry sector

Health & Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) www.hwseta.org.za Agriculture and its related outputs are very dependent on veterinary science, which falls under the HWSETA

 

Associations involved

  • Association of Principals of Agricultural Colleges (APAC), Mr Themba Cebani Tel: 049 842 1113
  • Association of South African Agricultural Educators (ASAAE)
  • Association of Students of Agricutural Training Institutes (ASATI) www.facebook.com/ASATI22/
  • Higher Education Learning & Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) http://heltasa.org.za/
  • Human Resource Development Council (HRDCSA) www.hrdcsa.org.za
  • South African Agricultural Teaching Association (SAATA), Tel:  056 216 3826 / 083 556 5947, nelepn [at] edu.fs.gov.za
  • Technical Vocational Education and Training College Governors Council (TVETCGC) Tel: 012 664 1140 www.tvetcgc.org
  • The South African Technology Network (SATN) is a voluntary association of universities of technology (UoTs) www.satn.org.za
  • UMALUSI Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training www.umalusi.org.za
  • Universities South Africa / University Councils Chairpersons Forum-SA (UCCF-SA), Formerly Higher Education South Africa (HESA), www.usaf.ac.za

Agricultural schools

Three branches of agriculture studies are offered at these schools: Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Technology and Agricultural Management Practices, the last two being practical in nature.

  • Agricultural Sciences is the study of the relationship between soils, plants and animals in the production and processing of food, fibre, fuel and any other agricultural commodities that have an economic, aesthetic and cultural value. It is an integrated science that combines the knowledge and skills from Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics and Economics. This subject must be seen within the holistic science framework rather than as an isolated science.
  • Agricultural Management Practices is the study and application of economic and management principles that are used in the production, transformation and marketing of food and other agricultural products. The foregoing principles are used in the production and value adding of high quality agricultural products that have economic, aesthetic, social and cultural value.
  • Agricultural Technology focuses on technological processes used in agriculture to create an understanding of how processes, equipment and structures are used with people, soil, plants, animals and their products to use the environment, to sustain and maintain quality of life and to promote economic, aesthetic and sound cultural values.

Schools that offer all three (Agricultural Schools) are listed here. For a list of other schools which offer Agricultural Sciences but are not classed as “Agricultural Schools”, contact SAATA (details under “Associations involved” heading).

 

Eastern Cape

School Contact Details
Hoër Landbouskool Marlow (Cradock) Tel: 048 881 3121 www.marlow.co.za
Phandulwazi Agricultural High School (Alice) Cell: 082 573 1320 Tel/fax: 040 653 8758
Winterberg Agricultural High School (Fort Beaufort)  Tel: 046 645 1168 www.winagric.co.za

 

Free State

School Contact Details
Bultfontein Hoërskool (Bultfontein) Tel: 051 853 1140 bulties [at] schoolink.co.za www.bulties.co.za
Hoërskool Hendrik Potgieter (Reddersburg) Tel: 051 553 0129 / 083 406 9787 info [at] landbouskool.co.za www.landbouskool.co.za
Hoërskool Kroonstad (Kroonstad) Tel: 056 212 4551 www.blouskool.co.za
Landboudal Agricultural High School (Jacobsdal) Tel: 053 591 0050 lanties [at] bfn.co.za
Reitz Landbou Akademie Tel: 058 863 2701 www.facebook.com/reitzlandbouakademie/
Trio High School Farm Tel: 056 212 5433 www.triohs.co.za
Unicom High School (Tweespruit) Tel: 051 963 0013 Unicom-hs [at] mwebbiz.co.za
Weiveld Landbouskool en Hotelskool (Parys) Tel: 056 817 6688 theprincipal [at] weiveldschool.co.za

 

Gauteng

School Contact Details
Hoërskool Bekker (Magaliesburg) Tel: 014 577 5936/7 hoof [at] hsbekker.co.za www.hsbekker.co.za

 

KwaZulu-Natal

School Contact Details
James Nxumalo Agricultural High School (Ulundi) Tel: 035 879 1075 / 083 321 0608 jamesnxumalo [at] mweb.co.za
Vryheid Agricultural High School (Vryheid) Tel: 034 982 6005 admin [at] vryheidlandbou.co.za http://vryheidlandbou.co.za
Weston Agricultural College (Mooi River) Tel: 033 263 1328 contact [at] weston.co.za www.weston.co.za
Zakhe Agricultural College (Baynesfield) Tel/fax: 033 815 9600 mwzakhe [at] mweb.co.za

 

Limpopo

School Contact Details
Dimani Agricultural High School (Shayandima) Tel: 015 964 3520 / 076 684 0440
Harry Oppenheimer Agricultural High (Limburg) Tel: 015 426 0006 info [at] hoas.co.za www.hoahs.co.za
Kheto Nxumayo Agricultural High School (Giyani) Tel: 015 812 3315 / 083 694 0843 ikhetho [at] yahoo.com
Hoër Landbouskool Kuschke (Eerstegoud) Tel: 015 225 7026 Cell: 083 230 3293 kuschke [at] mweb.co.za
Merensky High School (Tzaneen) Tel: 015 305 7901/ 074 888 5975 merensky [at] hsmerensky.co.za www.hsmerensky.co.za
Settlers Agricultural High School (Settlers) Tel: 014 001 7023 / 081 405 5881 admin [at] settlers.co.za www.settlers.co.za
Tshipakoni Secondary School (Vumani ) Tel: 083 770 2784 / 082 666 3798

 

Mpumalanga

School Contact Details
Beestepan Agricultural High School (Middleburg) Cell: 013 297 1697 / 082 682 2923
Mahhushe Agricultural High School (Kwalugedlane) Tel: 013 780 7064
Mathews Phosa College (Schagen) Tel: 013 733 3224 mpcollege [at] absamail.com www.mathewsphosacollege.co.za
Hoërskool Middelburg (Middleburg) Tel: 013 282 7393/4/5 hsmiddelburg [at] middies.co.za www.middies.co.za
Morgenzon Landbou Akademie (Morgenzon) Tel: 017 793 3089/58 landties [at] mweb.co.za www.hsmorgenzon.co.za
Perdekop Agricultural High School (Perdekop) Tel: 017 785 1028 / 082 828 4917 ariki [at] mweb.co.za
Sinethemba Secondary School (Piet Refief) Tel: 017 730 0094 / 082 682 0550
Suikerland Secondary School (Malelane) Tel: 013 790 1191 suikerland [at] gmail.com
Umzimvelo Agricultural School (Ermelo) Tel: 017 819 5820 Cell: 079 896 8878 / 079 896 9137

 

North West

School Contact Details
Kromellenboog Combined School (Christiana) Tel: 053 441 9100 / 082 447 2225 maria [at] beefmaster.co.za
PH Moeketsi Agricultural High School (Taung) Tel: 053 994 1845/7
Hoërskool Sannieshof (Sannieshof) Tel: 018 683 0011 hskoolshof [at] lantic.net www.sannieshof.net
Hoërskool Wagpos (Brits) Tel: 012 255 5646/ 071 657 2733 krediteure [at] wagposhs.co.za www.wagposhs.co.za

 

Northern Cape

School Contact Details
Hoërskool Martin Oosthuizen (Kakamas) Tel: 054 431 0884/5 admin [at] hmoskool.co.za www.hmoskool.co.za
Hoër Landbouskool Noord-Kaapland, (Jan Kempdorp) Tel: 053 456 1292 / 2571

 

Western Cape

School Contact Details
Augsburg Landbougimnasium (Clanwilliam) Tel: 027 482 2120/2 admin [at] augsburg.wcape.school.za www.augsburggim.co.za
Boland Agricultural High School (Windmeul) Tel: 021 869 8143 info [at] bolandlandbou.co.za www.bolandlandbou.co.za
Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale (Riversdal) Tel: 028 713 2549 admin [at] hlsoakdale.wcape.school.za www.oakdale.co.za

See also the Variis College website, https://variiscollege.co.za.

Agricultural Training Institutes / Agricultural Colleges

Agricultural Training Institutes, also called Agricultural Colleges, offer higher education for those wanting to follow a career in agriculture, as well as short courses, previously known as further education training (FET), now technical, vocational education and training (TVET).

These short courses are offered in animal production, crop production, as well as in areas like tractor maintenance and the safe handling of chemicals. A document Structured Training Programmes, listing all short courses, may be found on www.dalrrd.gov.za. Alternatively, contact the Agricultural Training Institute of your choosing.

Institution and Province Contact Details
Fort Cox (Eastern Cape) Tel: 040 653 8033/4  www.fortcox.ac.za
Grootfontein (Eastern Cape) Tel: 049 842 1113  http://gadi.agric.za
Mpofu (Eastern Cape) Tel: 040 664 9064 / 53 / 54
Tsolo Agricultural College (Eastern Cape) Tel: 047 542 0220/1 / or 047 542 0107 Cell: 082 301 9829
Glen College (Free State) Tel: 051 861 8500 / 8637 www.ard.fs.gov.za
Cedara (KwaZulu-Natal) Tel: 033 355 9304/5  www.kzndard.gov.za
Owen Sithole (KwaZulu-Natal) Tel: 035 795 1345  www.kzndard.gov.za
Madzivhandila (Limpopo) Tel: 015 962 7200  www.madzicollege.gov.za
Tompi Seleka (Limpopo) Tel: 013 268 9300/1/2  www.lda.gov.za and www.tsca.gov.za
Lowveld (Mpumalanga) Tel: 013 753 3064  www.ump.ac.za
Potchefstroom (North West) Tel: 018 285 0700 https://potchagricollege.co.za
Taung (North West) Tel: 053 994 9800/40  http://taungagricollege.co.za
Elsenburg (Western Cape) Branches: George Campus – 044 874 7739 Oudtshoorn Campus – 044 272 6077 Clanwilliam Campus – 021 482 1362 Tel: 021 808 5451 Fax: 021 884 4319 www.elsenburg.com

 

 Read also about Cloud-based e-learning – a  full  suite  of online learning opportunities – offered by AGRICOLLEGES at https://agricolleges.com/

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges offering agriculture

Institution Contact details
Boland TVET College Tel: 021 886 7111 / 082 459 9141 www.bolandcollege.com
East Cape Midlands TVET College Tel: 049 891 0201 / 082 772 6270 www.emcol.co.za
Elangeni Sivananda TVET College (Mpumalanga campus) Tel: 031 771 0148 www.elangeni.edu.za
Gert Sibande TVET College  Tel: 017 712 9040 / 082 563 0329 www.gscollege.co.za
Goldfield TVET College  Tel: 057 935 1301 / 083 280 2537 http://goldfieldstvet.co.za
King Hintsa TVET College  Tel: 047 401 6400 www.kinghintsacollege.edu.za
Lovedale TVET College  Tel: 043 642 1331/ 082 856 1450 www.lovedalecollege.co.za
Majuba Technology Centre Tel: 034 326 1182 www.majuba.edu.za

 

 

Institution Contact details
Maluti TVET College Tel: 058 713 6064 / 072 342 7159 http://malutitvet.co.za
Midlands TVET College Tel: 033 266 6588 / 083 379 9760 http://midlandscommunitycollege.co.za
Motheo TVET College Tel: 051 406 9300 / 78 (t/f) www.motheotvet.co.za
Mthashana TVET College Tel: 034 980 1010 / 084 959 8224
Nkangala TVET College Tel: 013 243 5148 / 082 871 8865 www.ntc.edu.za
Sekhukhuni TVET College Tel: 013 269 0278 www.sekfetcol.org
South Cape TVET College Tel: 044 884 0359 / 082 571 3105 www.sccollege.co.za
Taletso TVET College Tel: 018 632 4317 / 083 764 5565 www.taletso.edu.za
Umfolozi TVET College Tel: 035 474 2304 / 073 599 4958 www.umfolozicollege.co.za
Waterberg TVET College Tel: 015 491 8581 / 082 463 4873 www.waterbergcollege.co.za
Westcol TVET College Tel: 0861 937 826 www.westcol.co.za

 

Find a full list of TVET Colleges per province at www.tvetcolleges.co.za, www.studentroom.co.za and www.careerhelp.org.za

Learnerships, apprenticeships and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Find the “Skills delivery” and option at www.agriseta.co.za.

Learnerships and apprenticeships are a combination of on-the-job learning along with some theoretical training. The major part of the training can be offered on the farm.

They are available in the following subjects: Agricultural Management; Agronomy, Animal Husbandry and Horticulture (for both farm owner and farm worker); Plant Production; Mixed Farming Systems; Fruit Packaging and Grading; Agricultural Machinery; Grain Handling; Grain Milling; Dry Pet Food Processing; Poultry Production; Poultry Processing; Red Meat (Abattoir Processes, Supervision, Slaughtering; Meat Examination); Seed (Production, Marketing, Research & Development; Processing etc); Sugar; Sugar Processing; Rooibos Processing; and Tobacco.

A learnership leads to a qualification and the level of qualification starts at Level 1 (equal to Grade 9). The highest level is level 5. Although it is not unit standard based, the apprenticeship also leads to a recognised national qualification indicating that you are competent in the skill for which you trained.

There are many financial incentives for a business owner to put employees (and unemployed people) on these learning programmes. AgriSETA picks up the bill for most aspects of the training (including a weekly allowance if the learner is unemployed), and the employer receives tax deduction benefits once the leaner has successfully completed his/her training.

The employer and learner will sign an agreement for the duration of the learnership/apprenticeship. The strategy is that the employer offers an opportunity to the learner to obtain practical experience in the work place, the practical experience obviously having some bearing on the learner’s theoretical training.

After completion of the learnership, the employer will have no further obligation towards the learner. By taking in such a learner you as employer get the opportunity of evaluating the person with a view to future employment.

Do your staff have various skills, competencies and experiences acquired outside of formal education and training? They could be awarded academic credit for these towards a formal certificate. Find out about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The brochure at www.kzndard.gov.za is a good place to start.

Adult Basic Education Training (ABET) and General Training

A number of AgriSETA-accredited providers offer ABET training (see next heading).

RainbowSA Publishing’s The Skills Handbook, a sister publication, takes you through the skills strategy and legislation in an easy-to-understand way and provides an extensive list of training providers. Visit www.skillshandbook.co.za.

AgriSETA accredited training providers

A comprehensive list of AgriSETA accredited training providers (nearly 500 of them) can be found on the AgriSETA website.

Accredited training providers in related sectors can be found on the websites of FoodBev and the forestry SETA, FP&M SETA. Visit www.foodbev.co.za and www.fpmseta.org.za respectively. Training providers accredited with other SETAs also offer training relevant to the agricultural sector e.g. Resonance Institute of Learning offers business and financial training for co-operatives and small-scale farmer businesses.

Agricultural Research Council (ARC) training

Find the “Training & advisory services” option at www.arc.agric.za.

The ARC campuses are able to structure courses upon request. The numbers of persons accepted for the courses and the costs vary and are obtainable from the contact numbers.

 

Livestock and animal health

ARC-Animal Production (ARC-AP) Tel: 012 672 9111

  • Small scale dairy production
  • Meat processing and carcass cutting
  • Aquaculture
  • Advanced Poultry Nutrition
  • Beef Production and Management
  • Dairy Production
  • Pig Production
  • Poultry Production
  • Small Stock Management

ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Campus (ARC-OV) Tel: 012 529 9111

  • Diagnosis of Avian influenza
  • Introduction to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  • Tick Identification
  • Zoonotic Disease

 

Field crops

ARC-Grain Crops (ARC-GC) Tel: 018 299 6100

  • Basic nematology
  • Introduction to Grain Crops Production
  • Dry Beans Production
  • Groundnut Production
  • Maize Production
  • Sorghum and Millet Production

ARC-Small Grains (ARC-SG) Tel: 058 307 3400

  • Wheat production

ARC-Industrial Crops (ARC-IC) Tel: 014 536 3150

  • Courses on tobacco, cotton and fibre crops are presented.

 

Horticulture

ARC-Vegetable and Ornamental Plants (VOP) Tel: 012 841 9611

  • Hydroponics Vegetable Production
  • Vegetable Production

ARC-Infruitec/Nietvoorbij Tel: 021 809 3100

  • Fruit processing
  • Deciduous Fruit Production
  • Basic Business Skills
  • Table Grape Production
  • Honeybush Tea Production

ARC-Tropical and Subtropical Crops (ARC-TSC) Tel: 013 753 7000

  • Processing of subtropical fruit
  • Cultivation of Subtropical crops: Avocado, Citrus & Macadamia, Banana, Guava, Mango & Litchi
  • Propagation of Subtropical Fruit Crops
  • Tissue Culture of Subtropical Crops

 

Natural resources and engineering

ARC-Plant Health and Protection (ARC-PHP) Tel: 012 808 8000

  • Principles of integrated pest management (IPM) for established and developing agricultural systems
  • Handling, extraction and Identification of plant-parasitic nematodes
  • The identification of phytophagous mites and of slide mounted specimens of selected mite families.
  • Introductory and advanced spider identification courses
  • Identification of some parasitic mites (Acari) of birds and domestic animals in Southern Africa.
  • Alien plant control for land managers
  • Stored Grain & Rodent Management
  • Beekeeping
  • Beeswax and candle making
  • Practical course in phytobacteriology techniques in applied entomology
  • Introductory mycology
  • Introductory Cell Biology
  • Introductory Molecular Biology
  • Fusarium Identification
  • Fungal taxonomy course
  • Plant inspectors course for the identification of quarantine pests and diseases
  • Mushroom production
  • Training of smallholder farmers
  • Ecologically-based rodent pest management

ARC-Agricultural Engineering (ARC-AE) Tel: 012 842 4017

  • Irrigation Evaluation
  • Mechanization planning for crop production
  • Irrigation Design

ARC-Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-SCW) Tel: 012 310 2500

  • Basic Soil Properties: Analysis and Interpretation
  • Conservation Agriculture Training
  • Soil Classification & Mapping
  • Soil Microbiology and Biological Nitrogen Fixation

Universities

 

Clicking on the university name will take you to its website.

 

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

Faculty of Applied Sciences

Relevant departments are Agriculture, Biotechnology and Consumer Science, Environmental and Occupational Studies, Food Technology, and Horticultural Sciences. Contact numbers and information can be found on the website.

National Diplomas in Agricultural Management and Agriculture (Animal Production or Crop Production), Horticulture, Consumer Science, Environmental Health, Environmental Management, Food Technology and Nature Conservation are offered. BTech and MTech qualifications in these areas are also offered.

 

Central University of Technology (CUT)

School for Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Department of Agriculture Tel: 051 507 4051 and/or 051 507 3272 / 88

umesiobi [at] cut.ac.za / pfourie [at] cut.ac.za

A National Diploma in Agricultural Management (3 years) and a B Tech: Agriculture (Degree) is offered. An M Tech and D Tech are research options. Research is done in the fields of Agricultural Management, Animal Production and Crop Production. Short courses are also offered, and students and lecturers are involved in community service and frequently liaise with industry. The latter is mostly accomplished during the second year of training in the form of experiential training on a farm for a one-year period, while various assignments in most subjects also necessitates completion on a farm or agricultural business. Merit bursaries from the 2nd year of study, and Innovation fund bursaries for research projects are available.

 

Durban University of Technology (DUT)

Department of Horticulture Tel: 031 373 2717

N Dip and B Tech are offered in horticulture

 

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)

Faculty of Natural Sciences

  • Department of Agriculture – 031 907 7679
  • Department of Environmental Health – 031 907 7654

Three year National diplomas in Plant production or Animal production offered. Bursaries are available.

 

Nelson Mandela University (NMU) George Campus (Saasveld)

Tel: 044 801 5111

Departments within the School of Natural Resource Management are Forestry, Agriculture, Nature Conservation, Game Ranch Management and Wood Technology. The National Diploma, BTech degree, MTech and DTech in agriculture are offered.

 

Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Port Elizabeth North Campus

Tel: 041 504 3527

National Diploma in Agricultural Management; BTech in Agricultural Management; MTech and DTech in Agriculture.

 

North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus

Call 018 285 4320 or write to applicationsug [at] nwu.ac.za. for information about the School of Agriculture’s undergraduate programmes:

  • BSc (Agric) Agricultural Economics and Extension
  • National Diploma in Animal Health & BSc (Agric) Animal Health
  • National Diploma in Animal Science & BSc (Agric) Animal Science
  • BSc (Agric) Agronomy & Horticulture

Masters and Doctoral Programmes are offered in all the listed departments at the North-West University’s Mahikeng Campus. Call 018 389 2726 or email Lebogang.Motsei [at] nwu.ac.za.

 

North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus
  • Two new programmes are offered from 2019: BSc (Agric) with Soil Sciences and Agronomy, and BSc (Agric) with Agricultural Economics and Agronomy. Tel: 018 299 4213 or email chantel.zaayman [at] nwu.ac.za.
  • The School of Biological Sciences offers Geology, Zoology, Microbiology, Botany, Geography and Environmental Management. Call 018 299 2521.
  • The School of Economics offers a BCom in Agricultural Economics and Risk Management. Call 018 299 1382.
  • The Research Entity Environmental Science and Management offers a range of subjects that have a bearing on agriculture (mentioned in the relevant chapters of this publication) e.g. Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology, Environmental Management, Integrated Pest Management and Agricultural Economics. Call 018 299 1543.

The North-West University’s Business School provides the certification for the AgAcademy For Leaders (formerly the Grain Academy). See https://agacademy.co.za.

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Agricultural Economics at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus

 

Agricultural research and education are, and will remain a prerequisite for increasing agricultural productivity and endured competitiveness in a globalised world economy. Agriculture has the ability to generate income for farmers and the rural workforce. This in turn will address food security and poverty alleviation. Given that few countries have achieved economic growth without agricultural development, it can be concluded that the sector can significantly contribute to poverty alleviation. Therefore, agricultural research and education should be a high priority, especially within the developing world.

 

Therefore, the main aim of the Master’s and Doctoral program in Agricultural Economics at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University is to equip students with knowledge and practical experience that will empower him/her to contribute to solutions relating to these difficult real world challenges in an dynamic agricultural environment.

 

Contact Mr J van der Merwe at 018 299 2393 or send an email to Johnny.VanDerMerwe [at] nwu.ac.za.

Stellenbosch University (SU)

Faculty of AgriSciences Tel: 021 808 4833 / 737

Departments are Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Science, Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Food Science, Forest and Wood Science, Genetics and Institute of Plant Biotechnology, Horticultural Science,
Plant Pathology, Soil Science, and Viticulture and Oenology (DVO). The faculty also hosts the Institute for Wine Biotechnology (IWBT). Consult the website for contact details and information.

 

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

Faculty of Science Tel: 012 382 6203

Departments relevant to this publication are Animal Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Technology, Crop Science, Environmental Health, Environmental Water and Earth Science, Horticulture and Nature Conservation. Find out more on the website.

 

University of Africa

Faculty of Engineering and Bio-Sciences Tel: 082 77 00 144

 

 

University of Fort Hare (UFH)

Faculty of Science and Agriculture Tel: 040 602 2232

Departments in the School of Agriculture and Agribusiness are: Agricultural Economics and Extension; Agronomy; Livestock and Pasture Sciences. Departments like Geography, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) etc are housed within the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences or the School of Physical and Computational Sciences.

 

University of the Free State (UFS)

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Tel: 051 401 3199 / 2531 www.ufs.ac.za/natagri

Relevant departments are Agricultural Economics; Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences; the Centre for Environmental Management; the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development and Extension; the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC); the Institute for Groundwater Studies; Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology; Plant Sciences; Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences; and Zoology and Entomology. The faculty also hosts the Paradys Experimental Farm.

Short courses for commercial and emerging farmers are available in Afrikaans, English or Sesotho. To find out about the financial planning and strategic management courses offered by the Centre for Agricultural Management, call 051 401 2557 / 3551 or visit www.ufs.ac.za/agriman.

 

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Tel: 033 260 5597 www.caes.ukzn.ac.za

School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences http://saees.ukzn.ac.za

Two other schools of interest to us are:

 

University of Limpopo (UL)

School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Tel: 015 268 2202/3

Departments are Agricultural Economics and Animal Production; Geography and Environmental Studies; Plant Production, Soil Science and Remote Sensing; and Water and Sanitation.

Research facilities include the Aquaculture Research Unit, the Experimental Farm, the Centre for Rural Empowerment and the Limpopo Agro-Food Technology Station.

 

University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

Tel: 013 002 0001

A Bachelor of Agriculture (Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management) degree is offered, as well as a diploma in Agriculture (Plant Production).

 

University of Pretoria (UP) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Tel: 012 420 3201

The departments are listed on the faculty web pages, and include a link to where contact details and information are given. Departments in the faculty include: Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development; Animal and Wildlife Science; Consumer Science; Food Science; Genetics; Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology; Geology; Microbiology and Plant Pathology; Plant Production and Soil Science; Plant Science; Zoology and Entomology.

Their institutes, centres and units include: African Centre for Gene Technologies; Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy in Africa (CEEPA); Centre for Environmental Studies; Centre for Wildlife Management; Conservation Ecology Research Unit (CERU); Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI); Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-being (IFNUW); Post Graduate School for Agriculture and Rural Development; South African Institute for Agricultural Extension; SADC Centre for Land Related, Regional and Developmental Policy.

 

University of Pretoria (UP) Faculty of Veterinary Science

Tel: 012 529 8000

On the website, find the interactive links to the departments: Anatomy and Physiology, Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Paraclinical Sciences, Production Animal Studies, Veterinary Tropical Diseases.

Centres include the Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Equine Research Centre and the Onderstepoort Veterinary Genetics Laboratory.

 

University of South Africa (UNISA)

 

The method of studying at UNISA – distance learning along with practical modules at a centre near you – makes this an ideal method of studying or upgrading your qualifications, whether you are an extension officer, potential farmer or entrepreneur.

 

The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences is situated within the Florida Campus on the corner of Christiaan de Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida, Johannesburg. It offers both University-of-Technology and University programmes under one roof. In Agriculture, for example, we offer a National Diploma and BTech in Agricultural Management as well as a generic BSc (Agric).

The College is committed to teaching, research and community participation in order to meet the needs of South Africa, the SADC region and Africa as a whole.

School of Agriculture and Life Sciences

  • Department of Agriculture and Animal Health – the focus is on agricultural management, animal health, food nutrition, food security and social development. This department also hosts the Unit for Indigenous Technological Knowledge Services. 011 471 3231 / 2818
  • Department of Life and Consumer Sciences – call 011 471 3649 Life Sciences e.g. animal physiology, biochemistry, botany, biology, microbiology and zoology
  • Consumer Sciences e.g. food, clothing and textiles, nutrition and hospitality

School of Environmental Sciences

  • The Department of Environmental Sciences focuses on environmental Science, Environmental Management, Ornamental Horticulture and Nature Conservation. 011 471 2355 / 3138. Short learning programme enquiries – 011 471 2577 / 2616
  • The Department of Geography offers undergraduate degrees in environmental management and geography modules up to doctoral level. 011 471 3689 / 2084 Short learning programme enquiries – 011 471 3120 / 2084

Centre for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Tel: 011 471 2171

 

University of Venda (UV)

School of Agriculture Tel: 015 962 8000 / 8310 / 8408

Departments within the School of Agriculture are: Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness; Agricultural and Rural Engineering; Animal Science; Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences; Food Science and Technology; Forestry; Horticultural Sciences; Plant Production; and Soil Science.

Departments with the School of Environmental Sciences include Ecology and Resource Management; Geography and Geo-Information Sciences; Hydrology and Water Resources; and the Institute of Semi-Arid Environment and Disaster Management.

Of interest to readers of this publication is also this university’s Centre for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation.

 

University of the Western Cape (UWC)

Faculty of Natural Sciences Tel: 021 959 3426

  • Departments in the faculty include Biotechnology, and Biodiversity and Conservation Biology.
  • Units/Institutes of interest to this publication include the Institute for Water Studies and the South African Herbal Science and Medicine Institute (SAHSMI).

 

University of Zululand

Faculty of Science and Agriculture Tel: 035 902 6282 / 6649

  • Departments include Agriculture; Biochemistry and Microbiology; Geography and Environmental Studies; Zoology and Botany.

 

Vaal University of Technology (VUT)

Faculty of Applied & Computer Sciences

  • Department of Biotechnology Tel: 016 950 9648

 

Walter Sisulu University (WSU)

Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology

Tel: 043 702 9369/71

National Diploma: Consumer Sciences: Food and Nutrition

Websites and publications

Visit the websites listed earlier on this page.

 

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