The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, is embarking on a series of engagements with young people in agriculture across the province.
According to the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the sessions aim to empower youth to take an active role in shaping the future of the sector, reflecting their commitment to supporting sustainable, youth-led growth in agriculture.
The first leg of the district engagements kicked off on Monday, 30 June 2025, in Coligny, within the Ngaka Modiri Molema District.
The department said that at the heart of this focused intervention is the Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) structure, whose elected leadership has been tasked with advancing youth representation and development at all levels of the sector.
The rollout continues in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District on Friday, 4 July, at Mooilagte Farm in the Naledi Local Municipality.
This will be followed by engagements in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District on 11 July at Ga-Matsapola Farm, and in the Bojanala Platinum District on 14 July at the Moses Kotane Local Municipality.
The initiative brings together key stakeholders, including the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), North West University Business School, the Small Enterprise Finance and Development Agency (SEFDA), AgriSETA, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), commercial banks, and development finance institutions.
“The sessions serve as a gateway for young people to access critical information on funding, skills development, mentorship, and market access tools essential for building resilient and sustainable agri-enterprises.”
Held in partnership with local municipalities through the District Development Model (DDM), the engagements aim to ensure that the needs and aspirations of young farmers are integrated into local economic development plans.
“In addition to dialogue and presentations, each session includes live demonstrations and planting activities, exposing participants to practical techniques and climate-smart agricultural methods.”
Addressing youth during the Coligny engagement held on Monday, Sambatha emphasised the department’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for youth in agriculture.
“This is not a ceremonial exercise; it is a deliberate strategy to reposition young people as central drivers of agricultural growth and rural development. We are here to remove bottlenecks, unlock opportunities, and invest in future producers,“ Sambatha said.
The department encourages all young people involved in farming, agri-processing, and rural enterprises to take full advantage of these sessions and the wide range of support offered through government and its partners. – SAnews.gov.za
