Cape Town – South African youth are more and more pursuing agriculture as a most well-liked profession selection – not out of necessity however as a doubtlessly profitable path to incomes an honest residing whereas additionally contributing to the nation’s essential meals manufacturing worth chain.
Unlike earlier generations, who might have turned to farming as a final resort, at this time’s younger farmers are actively pursuing agriculture as a profession, equipping themselves with information, abilities and networks to make sure their success.
This shift will not be solely contributing to the transformation of the sector but additionally to the strengthening of South Africa’s economic system.
Across universities and coaching establishments, younger South Africans are enrolling in agricultural research, attending expos and taking part in knowledge-sharing boards.
Their engagement indicators a deliberate dedication to farming, somewhat than a fall-back possibility.
This new wave of farmers is demonstrating that they’re severe about agriculture, treating it as a occupation somewhat than a passion.
They should not merely looking for funding alternatives – they’re investing in their very own improvement and experience to construct sustainable companies.
While it’s tough to pinpoint the precise variety of youth farmers coming into the agricultural sector in South Africa yearly, there are indicators that the trade is seeing a rise in youth involvement.
For instance, initiatives such because the Agricultural Youth Fund are supporting youth-led farming companies, and organisations like Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) are working to advertise youth participation and supply a platform for networking and help.
With the typical age of farmers in South Africa being round 57 years, there’s a particular want for youth participation within the sector to make sure its future sustainability.
According to the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Economic Summary, within the first quarter of 2025, South Africa’s agricultural sector noticed a notable enhance in employment, with an increase of 27% (51 282 jobs) quarter-on-quarter and 13% (28 994 jobs) year-on-year.
This progress was primarily pushed by a 34% enhance in crop farming employment and a smaller 1% enhance in animal farming.
Agriculture continues to be a big contributor in South Africa’s economic system, with agricultural exports rising by 10% year-on-year within the first quarter of 2025, to succeed in $3.36 billion.
This progress was pushed by elevated exports of grapes, maize, apples and wine. Additionally, agriculture contributed considerably to South Africa’s 0.1% GDP progress within the first quarter, serving to the nation keep away from a recession.
The sector’s resilience underscores its significance in nationwide financial stability.
However, regardless of extra younger folks exhibiting an curiosity in farming lately, now we have to acknowledge that entry into the sector stays tough for aspiring younger farmers.
Prohibitive elements embody an absence of land possession, excessive enter prices and restricted entry to finance.
The lack of market entry, low returns, excessive value of mechanisation and restricted farming information and technical abilities are a few of the different limitations that hinder youth participation in agricultural actions.
Improved availability and entry to land, monetary help and the dissemination of pertinent data are amongst the important thing interventions that may help youth entry within the agricultural sector.
This is the place the Land Bank’s Blended Financial Scheme (BFS) and its pre- and post-finance help companies could make a significant distinction.
The BFS has been created in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.
This initiative goals to commercialise improvement farmers and to make sure the significant participation of black producers and majority black-owned enterprises in proudly owning and controlling agricultural worth chains in South Africa.
The BFS combines grants and loans into comparatively reasonably priced finance to help producers engaged within the agricultural worth chain and aggregation actions.
It goals to help farming tasks obtain sustainability and progress, with precedence given to tasks with excessive improvement impression.
The rising pipeline of younger, devoted farmers with commercially viable agricultural tasks now have the chance to entry reasonably priced financing via the blended funds scheme.
This BFS will unlock the potential of younger agripreneurs, and catalysing a brand new period of agriculture that’s pushed by information, innovation and sustainability.
This new era of farmers will not be merely filling gaps – it’s shaping the way forward for meals manufacturing, export markets and rural improvement.
The youths’ dedication ensures that agriculture stays a cornerstone of financial progress, somewhat than a sector of final resort.
South Africa’s agricultural future is vivid, because of the dedication of the nation’s youth.
Their proactive method to farming, mixed with efficient monetary help and a rising export market, is setting the stage for a thriving trade.
As they proceed to spend money on their abilities and companies, the nation will reap the advantages of a sturdy, sustainable agricultural sector.
*The writer of this text is Sydney Soundy, the Chief Strategy Officer at Land Bank
