“Our prosperity as a nation depends on our ability to take full advantage of rapid technology change. Meaning that we urgently need to develop our capabilities in the areas of science, technology and innovation.” These were the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa at his first ‘state of the nation’ address (Times, 2018).

Technological innovation has led to a need to redefine the next generation of farmers. Farmers, as scientists, are required to acquire and possess new skills at a far more rapid pace than past or present generations. Knowledge-sharing is regarded as the exchange of information and expertise between organisations and individuals, together with the concept of knowledge sharing and creation. The collaborative relationship between industry and private academics creates a favourable environment for knowledge-creation and sharing.

The BKB Sheep and Wool Academy for southern Africa (Pty) Ltd (SWASA) is a masters example of such a collaboration agreement between BKB Ltd – industry, and the International Agricultural Academy for Africa (Pty) Ltd (i3A) – private sector.

BKB Ltd is a significant player within the agricultural industry with a permanent staff complement of 1543 employees and 2110 seasonal employees, learners or contractors. BKB further pride itself in being a high performing organisation that puts their people first. The BKB best practice processes act as enablers to their people, empowering each individual to grow within the organisation.

With a commercial agricultural base of more than 62 000 customers, BKB has developed into a leading agricultural industry giant in the international agricultural market. BKB has earned the reputation of trust through comprehensive services with skilled technical field advisers in the production of wool, mohair, livestock and grain.

The BKB Sheep and Wool Academy for southern Africa is an independent private Agricultural Academy that offers industry-developed qualifications, accredited Certificates and Diplomas in Animal Production (meat and wool) to scholars, students, producers and farm workers.

SWASA offers the opportunity to every BKB trading partner to participate in the development and training of industry relevant skills according to the latest technology and product information available in the agricultural industry.

The SWASA sheep and wool curriculum is divided into 12 modules, each of which forms part of a National Diploma in animal production and has also been developed in line with the existing Agricultural schools programs for Grades 10 to 12.

Scholars schooling at agricultural schools can participate in the program to earn credits in order to obtain the National Certificate in Animal Production at NQF Level 4 together with the National Matric certificate.

This Certificate also carries enough Credits to obtain a 2-year National Diploma in Sheep and Wool Production within only one extra year after matric. As a qualified junior farm manager, a school leaver can therefore start working directly after school, earn income and start building a career with practical experience at a very young age.

As part of the International Agricultural Academy for Africa (i3A), SWASA is working hard to offer the students the further opportunity to obtain a private B. Agric or B.Sc Agric degree in the future.

All SWASA qualifications are offered online via the internet as e-learning programs on the Agri-pedia technology platform. SWASA short courses are offered for students to gain practical field work.

Agri-pedia is an Internet Technology computer platform that presents all information in text, video, animation and graphic format. It makes the transfer of information refreshing and visually understandable.

This e-learning platform offers all the benefits of e-learning instruction. The student can study in his or her own time, within the framework of his or her individual ability, and within the comfort of his or her own place and space.

E-learning offers huge savings on study costs in terms of classroom infrastructure, travel and accommodation costs. The student has access to continued personal support from subject specialists at i3A and BKB.

The biggest advantage is that studies can be continued while the student is employed full time at a farm or other industrial workplace.

Practical contact sessions are offered by BKB technical staff in collaboration with other relevant specialists representing trading partners and products from industry.

Every BKB trading branch across South Africa is a SWASA administration office for the benefit and utilisation of every client and his children or farm workers who want to study.

Mr. Mike van den Berg, BKB Manager: Fiber (Eastern region), said at the launch of SWASA that the academy is a solution to a dilemma that is currently being experienced in the wool industry. “One aspect is the deterioration of formal training and the loss of expertise to the industry. This means that young farmers go to the farm with limited knowledge, which increases the gap between the older generation of experienced farmers and the younger entrant farmers”. Through this unique collaboration agreement between BKB and i3A, SWASA is the active contribution from industry to closing the knowledge gap.

For more information or inquiries, follow the SWASA link on the BKB website, or inquire at your nearest BKB branch manager.

www.swasa.africa

When it comes to the mental health crisis enveloping society not only in South Africa, but the world over, there is a huge emphasis on putting out fires. At the International Agricultural Academy for Africa, we believe in preventing fires. Our transformative approach to support all our students, farmers and their workers, the agricultural industry and related state departments is based on our core belief that: we have everything we need inside us.

The i3A -Garcias for Africa Connection

Project Garcias for Africa has been introduced to the International Agricultural Academy for Africa (i3A) in 2016 to bring ground-breaking discoveries about the mind to all their students.

This project points people towards a profound but simple truth: the “Inside-Out” understanding of how people experience life from moment-to-moment as we have discovered that there are principles to psychology that will not only unlock your Mind’s potential but offers incredible hope for humanity.

In practical terms this means that i3A has adopted a strategy that the mental wellbeing of its students is the preferred Point of Entry of its intervention, before any training in the field of agriculture is provided.

Preventing Fires

i3A has adopted this strategy because we are of the opinion that the field of psychology is fighting a losing battle (trying to put out fires) to find ways to help people to cope with, control and attempt to manage their emotions, perceptions and behaviors, rather than understand them to be the infinitely variable output of a universal system that works the same way, perfectly for everyone.

Through the Garcias for Africa Program, we would like to introduce our students and people to a new understanding of the mind that exposes the powerful yet invisible link between what we think and how we feel, and why we behave the way we do. We will show that just as all problems begin in the mind, so do all their solutions. The program will empower people to insightfully realize that they get caught up in a devastating misunderstanding of how life really works, and in doing so, allow them to rediscover their innate mental wellness and resilience (the way to prevent fires).

Why is this program important for our students?

Most of us tend to think that some people are born with wellbeing – meaning feelings such as security, resilience, gratitude, kindness, peace of mind, clarity and wisdom – and others are not. We often believe that these qualities come from achievements, circumstances, acquisitions or other factors – from the world out there. Here is the thing: innate qualities are there, whether we feel them or not. But when we don’t know or we forget that our wellbeing is innate and unconditional, we believe that there are things that can give us our wellbeing and things that can take it away. We attach our wellbeing to something or someone else, which inevitably creates a lot of misguided, insecure thinking. We can begin to doubt ourselves and we may believe there is something wrong with us.

But when our students or any other program participants start to realise that all these qualities are built-in – that we are born with them – and that they can never be damaged, lost or broken, they start to relax. Knowing that they already have everything they need inside of them, that nothing is wrong with them, and nothing is lacking, is a profoundly hopeful and liberating discovery for our students.

What difference does the program make?

At the program’s conclusion, participants will have learned how they can navigate their challenges with greater ease and success, found the confidence to make positive changes, and understood what prevents them from accessing their natural resilience and wellbeing. We expect to see the following improvements in the lives of the students and other participants we work with regarding their:

• Resilience & Wellbeing, e.g., clarity, self-esteem, dealing with setbacks, coping skills, decision making.
• Mental Health,g., anxiety, stress, depression, self-harm, addictive behaviours.
• Motivation, e.g., progress, attendance, perseverance, problem-solving.
• Behaviour, e.g., self-regulation, exclusions, disruption, anger, aggression.
• Relationships,g., tolerance, respect for difference, teamwork, positive relationships with family members, colleagues,
  workers, clients, suppliers etc

Current projects

Over the last three years more than 250 emerging farmers of the SERNICK Group have been exposed to the Gracias for Africa project with great success. Currently i3A, in collaboration with Agri Enterprises, is presenting the Garcias program to 720 emerging farmers throughout the country as part of its Comprehensive Mentorship Training Program.

i3A, supported by Agri Enterprises is also presenting a Comprehensive Mentorship Program for Metropolitan’s handpicked Collective Shapers and once more the preferred Point of Entry for this intervention was the mental wellness (Garcias for Africa) program.

 “The future belongs to those that start influencing their children, families, employees and clients to understand how life really works”

Agri Enterprises, the commercial arm of Agri SA, partnered in June 2021 with the International Agricultural Academy for Africa (i3A), in their Comprehensive Mentorship Programme (CMP).

The implementation of a Comprehensive Mentorship Approach through this development programme was successfully presented by Agri Enterprises to the AgriSETA towards the end of 2020 and related to the approval and signing of a funding agreement between the parties.

The objectives of the CMP are:

• To further the implementation of projects and programmes identified in the National Development Strategy as National priorities.
• To assist the AgriSETA more specifically to implement its Sector Skills plan, and
• To conduct a research programme through collecting data and completing questionnaires on demographic information, household information, production data on the various enterprises with the aim to produce a high-level research report with recommendations to benefit the National Development Strategy.

The methodology and implementation strategy of this programme is based on “principles and tools” to be presented as hard-core industry knowledge that was never seen nor considered before in similar development programmes.

Outstanding success drivers of the programme were found in the following features:

1. One of the most important efficiency drivers was found in the mental wellness programme as entry point of intervention. It was found to change the participants’ perspective on their real basic needs and realities.
2. A Mentorship Approach based on the current realities of rural farmers in the micro- and macro economy of the specific industry.
3. Hard core industry driven technical knowledge presented in professional manuals that forms a set of guidelines to be kept by participants as reference.
4. A management and financial recordkeeping focus which confirmed the lack of technical and financial record keeping skills in the Agripreneurial field of production.
5. Collection of comprehensive research data that will, on completion of the project, give new guidance and focus to the AgriSETA regarding the implementation of the National Skills Strategy.

The vision of the partnership between Agri Enterprises and i3A was aiming to implement a mentorship program curated specifically for non-commercial farmers to advance into successful Agripreneurs through business planning, financial management and leadership development.

Another primary focus included was to encourage industry knowledge, advocating for change and educating farm business owners in legal farm business entities. It is important to be involved in community uplifting projects, as well as facilitating the training of the farm labour force and creating governance teams in their respective farming communities.

Students and farmers were accepted into the programme and began training in cycles of 20 students per session. One of the students attending the programme said that it is “A great program! I would recommend it to other farmers as it gives us knowledge.”

The induction of the mentorship started with an introduction of the Garcias for Africa programme, whose main goal is to assist students and farmers to strive for personal, mental and leadership efficiency in their farming journey, whilst understanding the current realities of the individuals’ mind as a human being as part of a community.

The mentorship and training programme also included theoretical and practical knowledge sharing on beef cattle production, wool and sheep production, boer goat and angora goat production. The practical portion of the training addressed animal production and management systems, handling practices, agricultural law, nutrition and feeding, wool and mohair classification, animal health and biosecurity, as well as the responsible meat, wool and mohair standards.

Participants were involved in the practical engagements and demonstrations and received their SAQA accredited Animal Production certificates upon completion of the program.

BKB, Santam, MSD Animal Health, NutriFeeds, Boergoat Genetics and the Mohair Empowerment Trust are some of the partners who were involved in the training of the students and have partnered with i3A in realizing the success of the program.

The mentorship was also offered to some reserve force members under the Koba Tlala foundation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The objective was also to assist these farmers to obtain the necessary skills to emerge to agripreneurs and not to be solely dependent on the SANDF’s income as call up duties are not guaranteed on an annual basis.

The final goal is to have mentored, trained and equipped 720 farmers when the project ends on 30 March 2022. To date, 704 farmers have been trained in the Eastern Cape, Northwest, Gauteng, Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces.

As part of the of the follow-up outcomes of the mentorship, the hope is to engage Local Municipalities, the National and Provincial Government Departments to help in developing the mentees as real commercial agricultural leaders in the livestock sector.

Facilitators, farmers, mentors, Agri Enterprises and i3A have been on a good journey to learning and discovering efficient ways to training, farming, exploring agri business as well as networking. The skills gap and the new wave of agricultural training that has been evident in this Mentorship programme, is now more than ever, considered as a crucial need to develop agriculture as an efficient economic driver.

Farmers and prospective farmers, young and old, need to be mentored and assisted into successful production in a variety of agricultural enterprises.

This is exactly wat this partnership agreement between Agri Enterprises and i3A is doing!

Agra Ltd is by far the leading agricultural retail industry role player and pillar of the agricultural community of Namibia since its inception in 1980 and has developed a vast network of branches over Namibia, some 4300 shareholders and more than 800 employees.

Agra is striving to remain the preferred destination for the Namibian farmer as well as non-farming retail and wholesale clients, by offering quality products at reasonable prices backed by trusted advice and excellent client service. During especially the 2021 financial year, Agra achieved the highest financial growth since its establishment and are proud to be a fully-fledged Namibian organisation.

Agra ProVision is the professional training division of Agra Limited, providing expert advice and support in various growth and development opportunities for employees in the form of internal training courses, study aid or external development opportunities. Agra has always been striving to remain dedicated to creating prosperity, improving quality of life by contributing towards the socioeconomic environment of Namibia, caring about the environment and building innovative and sustainable businesses.

The International Agricultural Academy for Africa (i3A) have been actively involved in providing e-learn agricultural qualifications to Namibians, since 2018. In January 2021, negotiations between the directors and board members of both Agra and i3A related to the establishment of a fully amalgamated Agra Agricultural Academy for Namibia (a3N).

The Agra Agricultural Academy for Namibia is currently offering a range of SAQA accredited National Certificates and National Diplomas to Namibian students and is in the process to obtain full accreditation for these qualifications also from the Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA).

All qualifications are 100% applicable to the agricultural sector in Namibia and is constantly under review and further development of experts within the agricultural industry of South Africa and Namibia. Both academic teams from i3A and a3N are passionately driven to ensure industry collaboration in all academic modules.

All agricultural qualifications are offered online and are based on an entry and exit strategy. This implies that the completion of a lower qualification immediately gives access to a higher qualification. For example, the NQF 2 Certificate gives access to NQF 3, that again give access to the NQF 4 Certificate that is equal to Grade 12. The NQF 4 Certificate contributes almost 50% of the credits on technical modules towards the Diploma on NQF 5. Again, the Certificate in Advanced Farm Management on NQF 5, contributes 50% to the National Diploma on NQF 5.

Scholars as from Grade 10 may also enrol for a qualification and the NQF 4 Certificate is specifically aligned to Grade 12. This means that a matriculant with an NQF 4 Certificate, can enrol to complete a Diploma in Agriculture, within 1-year after leaving school.

​The online registration process is so easy that we have never experienced a student finding it difficult to enrol. The learning support for a qualification is based on competent advice and sympathy towards the specific situation of the distance learning student.

The application process is risk and cost free. Students make the first contact through the “Apply” link on the www.agra.i3a.africa website, from where the online application is submitted, assessed, and the formal registration process follows. ​

A qualification is obtained through the submission of online assignments that forms part of a logic sequence of specific outcomes and assessment criteria to be studied. It is expected from students to demonstrate competence in assignments, through submitting an own understanding and interpretation of the study content, within the rules of authenticity and plagiarism.
As part of the training contract, it is expected of the student to identify and arrange a practical workplace and mentor for the duration of the training. Such a workplace can be a commercial farm where the farm owner or manager is engaged as mentor. The student under guidance of the mentor will complete a practical logbook for submission as part of the final Portfolio of Evidence, or PoE. Agra Provision will play a huge part to assist students in the placement for practical training.

The very first Namibian International Agriculture Academy for Africa graduation took place on Friday 26 March 2021 in Windhoek. The five graduates each received their National Diploma in Animal Production, a NQF level 5 qualification. During their studies, students were equipped with focused knowledge and skills in primary agricultural animal production. During this time, students specialised in small stock management (sheep and goats) or large stock (cattle) management. Additional course content was included to ensure students were exposed to the latest industry developments. The diploma too two years to complete.

Students who received their National Diplomas can pursue careers in farming or farm management or move into the consumer sales world as agricultural product representative, or they can develop themselves professional into one of the other agricultural options available in Namibia and beyond.

“I believe that education is key to my success as a farmer and I have found a true partner in Agra” – Richardo Cloete: Graduate and farmer who was employed full time by the Agra Livestock Department in Mariental, after his graduation.​

Applications for the July 2022 semester is now open until 30 June 2022. Students who feel that they have wasted a full academic year at other universities and colleges are encouraged to rather stay in Namibia and continue their studies online through the Agra Agricultural Academy for Namibia. ​

How much does it cost?​
Agra is aware of the current challenging economic situation in Namibia, and therefore priced all qualifications accordingly. The cost of a 2-year National Diploma for example is N$ 46 800, or N$ 23 400 per annum. This is payable through a registration fee of only N$ 1 950, and the payment a monthly debit order of N$ 2 100.00. The same arrangement is applicable for the second year of studies. Once the Covid-19 pandemic have settled, Agra will be looking in opening u full time agricultural campus at their premises at Agra Hyper, Industria Street, Windhoek.

Enquiries can be directed by sending an email to info@Namibia.i3a.Africa, or through visiting the a3N website at www.Namibia.i3a.Africa

Interested farmers can also enquire at the Agra ProVision office, Agra Hyper, Industria Street, Windhoek. ​

“Landbou strek veel verder as net boerdery…”

Soos die Engelsman sou sê: ” Dit neem nie ‘n “rocket scientist” om te besef wat die uitdagings van landbou opleiding vandag in Suid-Afrika is nie. Dit sluit aan by die ander term wat die probleme in die lanbou industrie se vraag na nuwe talent so mooi beskryf, en dit is dat ons tradisionele landbou opleidingsinstansies eintlik net besig is om “landbouers op te lei wat nie onmiddelik indiensneembaar is nie.”

Volgens Dr Antonie Geyer, Direkteur Akademie by die International Agriculural Academy for Africa (i3A) is die meeste van die huidige landbou kurrikulums redelik uitgedien en is die aanbieding metodes oudmodies en nie meer belyn met die tegniese vraag na opleiding soos benodig deur die landbou industrie nie. Dr. Antonie Geyer, Direkteur Akademie, i3A.

Die industrie neem al meer en meer die verantwoordelikheid om private landbou akademies te ondersteun om industrie gerigte kurrikulums en tegnies gerigte opleiding uitkomstes daar te stel. Die privatisering van landbou opleiding bly ‘n groot prioriteit. Voorbeelde hiervan is die Sheep en Wool Academy for Southern Africa (SWASA) wat ondersteun word deur BKB Ltd, asook die die MSD Animal Health Academy. Verdere onderhandelings tussen i3A en nog industrie vennote is voltyds aan die gang.
Die International Agricultural Academy for Africa (i3A) met die hoofkantoor in Bloemfontein, is ‘n voorbeeld van industrie gedrewe privaat opleiding en navorsing inisiatiewe om nuwe alternatiewe modelle, kurrikulums en meer indiensneembare studente daar te stel.

Volgens navorsing gedoen deur i3A is die verwagtinge van voormalige landbou studente en hulle ouers wat in onderrig moet belê, kortliks as volg:
– Die jong student wil gebruik maak van die nuuste tegnologie om te leer en stel nie werklik meer belang in slegs tradisionle klaskamer onderrig nie.
– Moderne tegnologie wat van verskeie onderrig en leer metodes gebruik maak, voorsien meer holisties in die voornemende student se behoeftes. Dit sluit in die gebruik van audiovisuele tegnologie, multi-dimensionele tegnologiese modelle, die gebruik van toepassings, sensors en ander tegnologie as deel van onderrig metodes.
– Jong studente soek steeds ‘n kampus lewe waar kultuur, waardes en taal ‘n groot rol speel.
– Ouers verwag meer bekostigbare kwalifikasies.
– Ouers verwag ook dat die kennis wat die studente opdoen, meer industrie gerig is, wat die gegradueerde soveel meer indiensneembaar maak.
– Kurrikulum inhou wat meer gefokus is op entrepreneurskap wat eie werkskepping tot gevolg kan hê, raak al meer belangrik.
– Ouers verwag van akademiese instellings om ook om te sien na die jong student se emosionele volwassenheidsontwikkeling, hulp met studie metodes en akademiese dissipline.

Die Mooikrans Agri- Opleiding model
Mooikrans Agri-Opleiding is ‘n privaat landbou akademie wat is geleë tussen die dorpe Amersfoort en Morgenzon in Mpumalanga, weggesteek en omring deur bulte eie aan die oostelike hoëveld. Die landbou kampus se historiese geboue en infrastruktuur word omring deur reuse-bloekombome en lowergroen grasperke met genoeg infrastruktuur and ruimte vir allerlei landbou aktiwiteite.
Alle studente is voltyds inwonend en gaan tuis in enkel- en dubbelkamers. Daagliks word drie gebalanseerde etes bedien, terwyl koffie en tee vier keer per dag bedien word.

As deel van die sosiale ondersteuning aan studente, bied die kurrikulum addisionle ondersteuning soos ‘n literaliteit toetsing en terugvoering, geestes gesondheidsprogramme, individuele emosionele ondersteuning en karakter ontwikkeling, binne christelike beginsels. Die model maak voorsienning om maksimum slegs 30 studente per jaar in te neem wat verseker dat intensiewe opleinding en persoonlike aandag aan elke student gegee word.
As deel van die volwaardige ontwikkeling van jong landbouers, verdien elke student ook addisionele sertifikate in noodhulp, oorlewing en perderykuns.

Praktiese aktiwiteite aangebied op Mooikrans Agri-Opleiding
Landbou industrie kurrikulums
Inaggenome die verwagtinge van studente en ouers, bied die model aan die student ‘n volledige holistiese en geakkrediteerde landbou kurrikulum wat ontwikkel is deur i3A en aangebied word op die Agri-pedia interaktiewe E-leer platvorm. Die platvorm maak gebruik van die verwagte tegnologie wat die oordrag van kennis aan studente opwindend en maklik verstaanbaar maak.
Gekwalifiseerde dosente uit die industrie bied tradisionele lesings en ook praktiese onderrig aan studente, terwyl die omliggende kommersieële boere in die distrik hulle suksvolle produksie en bestuursmetodes as kennis aan die studente oordra. Elke dag word opgedeel in 4 periodes waarvan die laaste periode ‘n sportperiode is.

   

   

Die 2-jaar Landbou Diploma in Plant- en Dierkunde word ondersteun deur verskeie industrie kort kursusse.
Die landbou industrie betrokke by Mooikrans sluit onder andere in OVK, MSD Dieregesondheid, Myburg Boerdery Ermelo, Westand Landgoed Morgenzon en BKB wat verskeie tegniese addisionele sertifikate uitreik op kort kursusse wat onder andere insluit die rasstandaarde en beoordeling van onderskeie bees- en skaaprasse, draadspan, onderhoud op geboue, vleisverwerking, diesel en petrol onderhoud, vervaardigingsvereistes van landbou implemente, wolklassering en dieregesondheid.

Dr Geyer is oortuig dat hierdie model ‘n belangrike instrument is vir die privatisering van landbou opleiding in Suid Afrika. “Dit voldoen aan al die industrie akademiese verwagtinge, al die tegnologie en moderne leermetodes, terwyl die model ook op ‘n tradisionele wyse voldoen aan die sosiale en kulturele verwagtinge van ouers en jong landbouers wat volwaardige agri-entreprenuers in die toekoms kan vestig.”

“ Indien ons by i3A saam met die landbou industrie 10 sulke spesialiteits kampusse kan vestig, verseker ons dat daar 300 nuwe indiensneembare gegradueerdes jaarliks hulle opwagting in die lanbou industrie kan maak.”
Vir meer besonderhede kontak Dr. Antonie Geyer by Geyerac@i3a.co.za