DAVHUHA FARM INVESTS IN YOUTH THROUGH AGRICULTURE

Agriculture plays a major role in the development of job creation and economic relief in South Africa, a good reason to invest in the youth who are the future custodians of the agricultural sector.

Benjamin Nkanyane of Davhuha Enterprise was part of the Metropolitan Collective Shapers programme, and is a good example of the impact made when investing in the youth through agriculture. He has mentored six students to further their skills, in the same way he himself was given an opportunity. He has amassed nine years of farming experience, including working as a production manager on a commercial farm supplying retailers such as Woolworths. On his own 26 ha farm, he is currently growing crops such as spinach, butternut, watermelons, beetroot and cabbage, and is supplying schools and retailers such as Spar in the Tzaneen area.

Metropolitan’s Collective Shapers programme aims to uplift the youth by increasing their knowledge and skills in agriculture, and Nkanyane formed part of the first intake. He says that the programme was beneficial in many ways, helping him with exposure for his business and assisting him to acquire marketing skills.

His farm took in six students who have enrolled in different institutions across South Africa and are studying towards agricultural qualifications. They will go through 12 months of practical experience programmes to complete their qualifications and get paid a stipend from the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority. Skills acquired through this initiative include activities such as spraying, weeding, planting, soil preparation and the transportation of produce to markets.

www.metropolitan.co.za/collectiveshapers