Agriculture and Nature Conservation - Primary Agriculture
The Bachelor of Agriculture (B Agric) qualification aims to train and equip agricultural extension practitioners with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to build the capacity of farmers and farming communities. The program focuses on market-oriented sustainable agricultural production, product diversification, value-adding, and improving household livelihoods to strengthen the rural economy. Graduates of this program will contribute to enhancing agricultural extension services, leading agricultural transformation, and managing complex agricultural and rural development projects.
This qualification is particularly designed for individuals who will work in agricultural and rural development within the NGO sector, government service, agri-businesses, and other private sector companies involved with farmers and rural communities.
In Mpumalanga, where approximately 68% of the land is devoted to agriculture, the province plays a significant role in the agricultural sector, particularly in citrus, subtropical fruits, nuts, and vegetables. The Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management is designed to reflect the unique agricultural landscape of Mpumalanga while preparing learners to contribute to the local, national, and international economies.
Agricultural extension is crucial for the transformation of the agricultural sector in South Africa. There is a shortage of adequately trained extension practitioners, as highlighted in national agricultural strategies and norms. The B Agric program aims to address this skills gap and contribute to the developmental state's challenges.
The program builds on the academic strengths of other institutions with experience in training agriculturalists while emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and reflection. The curriculum is tailored to meet the demands of South Africa's evolving agriculture sector.
The Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management collaborates with the provincial Department of Agriculture, the University of Pretoria, NGO's, community-based organizations, and private agricultural companies. This collaboration enhances the quality of education and provides practical experience through mandatory placements in the final year.
This program is the foundational qualification in agriculture offered by the institution, focusing on the human aspects of agricultural sciences through training extension workers for deployment by various sectors.
By offering this qualification, the institution aims to contribute to the development of skilled agricultural extension practitioners who can drive sustainable agricultural practices, enhance rural livelihoods, and support agricultural transformation in South Africa.
This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.