"By creating bursary schemes for young talent we are confident that they will be well equipped to take this very scientific and technical industry into the future," Hugh Campbell, general manager of HORTGRO Science, said.
Campbell was addressing HORTGRO bursary students from Stellenbosch University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Institute for Agricultural Training: Elsenburg and leaders in the deciduous fruit industry in Stellenbosch recently.
"Business is about people, and the fruit industry realised a long time ago that we need to invest in the youth of this country in order to grow, and that is why we have chosen to sponsor young potential to study in the various agricultural fields. A bursary programme was just common sense," Campbell said. HORTGRO and HORTGRO Science have deliberately been building a next generation that will be able to take the industry forward. "Students are our human capital and we are confident that this investment will pay off."
Over the last ten years HORTGRO invested R5.2m in the bursary programme focusing mostly on undergraduates and created 74 bursaries in the process. In the same period HORTGRO Science invested more than R15m in bursary schemes for post graduates working on HORTGRO Science projects with an average of 30 to 40 bursaries annually.
Anton Rabe, executive director of HORTGRO, emphasised that industry cannot move forward if it did not have the backing of the government. "Through this bursary programme we are in partnership with government. We are giving the students the opportunity to grow and to grow the industry in the right way. We expect that our students will be the leaders of tomorrow, and together we can change the face of agriculture. And in so doing, we can change our country."
Joyene Isaacs, head of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, applauded the deciduous fruit industry's efforts to create a sustainable future. Isaacs said that people in the agricultural industry love to talk about sustainability. "Sustainable use of land and the environment, but in reality the youth of today, our human capital, is what sustainability is all about.
"By investing in young people, the deciduous fruit industry showed that it is confident of the future. They are sending the right signals to young people from all race groups and genders. That's why government liked to work with them on other programmes, making a Rand for Rand contribution to
what they are prepared to invest."
Isaacs challenged other industries to emulate what the deciduous fruit industry is doing. "We have a great skills shortage in the agricultural industry, and by investing in human capital we are securing our future not just for the industry but also for South Africa. And from what I have seen the deciduous fruit industry does this the right way. They are investing throughout the human development chain, from crèche to PhD level."
The biggest challenge the agricultural industry has, is to change the negative face and perceptions that surround it. "Farming is a most noble profession and it is time that we give it the recognition it deserves. All we ever hear about farming is controversy and bad news. Young people are ignorant about what modern farming is all about - a highly technical, scientific, and crucial economic process."
Isaacs emphasised that transformation is not just about race, but also about gender. "Farming is still viewed as a predominantly white, male environment. It is critical that we train women throughout the management chain to participate. Opening up new horizons for young women is not only the responsibility of industry. All of us have to stop brainwashing our girls. Young girls should be informed that there are great career possibilities in farming."
