A group of more than 40 young local entrepreneurs from the Vhembe region, determined to raise the income of their families and communities through mixed farming and related agricultural services, recently completed an intensive eight-month course. On Saturday (15th), the farmers received their certificates during a function attended by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA), AgriSETA and Livhuwani Matsila & Associates.
The project manager, Mr Freedom Giliana, said Vhembe needed young entrepreneurs, not only to survive but to thrive to boost the region's economy for the better for everyone.
The mixed-farming course included theoretical and practical lessons, including business planning, costing, the viability of agri-business and the dynamics in an agricultural marketing environment.
"These young graduates are a sign of hope for the future of agriculture in Vhembe. We cannot overstress how important it is for Limpopo's economy, food security and socio-political stability that young people create their own jobs in their own hometowns and regions," said Giliana.
Vhamusanda Vho-Livhuwani Matsila, the chairperson of Livhwani Matsila & Associates, said lots of possibilities for agroprocessing. "Vhembe is one of the most fertile regions in Limpopo. If there is the will to do so in society and if good business and agricultural practises are applied, it can yield a lot of food-related businesses and income for the people of Limpopo. We are looking for people who are serious about business and farming. We are continuously trying to connect them with tribal councils and appropriate government structures to acquire land and agricultural support structures to farm. There is a lot of good agricultural land in the Vhembe area. Even one hectare can go a long way to help the young people of Vhembe to get off the ground and prosper," said Matsila.
One of young farmers, Ms Hloniphani Myambo, is already into small-scale farming and is confident that she will benefit from the course. "At the moment, I am farming from home but only on a small scale. I am sure this system of farming will allow me to produce throughout the whole year," she said.