Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Skills shortage affects sector growth, innovation
South African agriculture faces a serious shortage of skilled workers when it comes to certain occupations. The skills shortage varies from sheep shearers to employees in the agricultural automotive industry.
According to Thapelo Machaba, agricultural economist and policy analyst at Agbiz, the lack of skills in the sector impacted negatively on productivity, innovation and the overall growth potential of agriculture in the country.
“[Agbiz] members, who make up a significant portion of agricultural employers, made it clear to us that a lack of practical skills and experience among university graduates poses a major problem. It seems as if the curriculum at university level is falling behind the actual needs of the industry.
“The time has come for training institutions to familiarise themselves with the critical skills in the sector and adapt their curriculums accordingly.
“They need to be cognisant of the fact that, internationally, technology is developing rapidly and our economy needs to stay on par with the rest of the word,” she told Farmer’s Weekly.
Swift technological advancements in agriculture, such as precision farming and biotechnology, require a workforce that is not only familiar with these technologies but also proficient in their application. The current workforce lacks sufficient training in these areas.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many young people from rural areas, where agriculture is a primary livelihood, face economic barriers that prevented them from accessing higher education and specialised training programmes.
Machaba said the sector was highly concentrated with seasonal labour and unskilled labour, which explained why employment in primary agriculture increased by 6% year-on-year to 941 000 in the first quarter of 2024.
She added that agribusinesses, particularly in rural areas, struggled with recruitment and retention, impacting their ability to meet employment equity targets. Despite significant investment in skills development, employers still found it challenging to fill vacant positions.
“Addressing the skills shortages in South Africa’s agricultural sector requires comprehensive educational reform, including revamping syllabuses to incorporate practical training and modern technologies.
“Government initiatives, such as investing in agricultural education and offering scholarships, are essential. Public-private partnerships can facilitate innovation and resource sharing between agribusinesses and educational institutions,” Machaba said. –