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Agricultural education and training

Introduction

The challenges facing the country include low literacy levels, which hinder the development of agricultural and other basic vocational skills.

The skills needed for agricultural production, food security and sustainable rural development include:

  • literacy and numeracy skills
  • basic decision-making and problem-solving
  • technical and vocational skills in agriculture, and land and water management
  • leadership, planning and management skills
  • social, interpersonal and communication skills
  • negotiation and facilitation skills
  • the critical thinking that is necessary for fostering innovation and change
  • food preservation and processing skills
  • marketing skills
  • business, income-generating and entrepreneurial skills
  • the awareness of social, political and legal institutions that is necessary for effective participation in civil society

Many of these skills could be considered the building blocks for success in the modern world and should be gained through primary and secondary education. Unfortunately, this has not been the case as the education system has failed many youngsters, especially in rural areas.

The provision of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) is a cornerstone in the work of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). Certainly generating literacy amongst farm workers remains one of the greatest challenges to our investment in people.

Along with the provision of skills and the capacity to perform, the spin-offs of education and training go beyond the workplace and staff morale: people become agents of change and positive participators in the development of their communities.

National strategy and government contact

The National Development Plan (NDP) placed agriculture firmly on the agenda for the 15 years following its inception (NPC, 2011). Specifically, and in relation to Agricultural Education and Training (AET), the NDP calls for:

  • The creation of an additional one million jobs in the agriculture, agro-processing, and related sectors.
  • Increased investment in agricultural technologies, research, and the development of adaptation strategies.
  • Expanding the college system with a focus on improving quality.
  • Improved skills development and training in the agricultural sector, including entrepreneurship training. This should include the training of a new cadre of extension officers.
  • Investigation into whether extension and agricultural services are appropriately located at provincial level.
  • Innovative means for agricultural extension and training by the state in partnership with industries.

Additional targets of indirect relevance to AET include increasing enrolment at universities and increasing the percentage of PhD-qualified staff in the higher education sector.

Source: from the executive summary of Revitalising Agricultural Education and Training in South Africa. Find the details of the document under "Websites & publications".

Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) are part of the Infrastructure Plan developed by Government to support economic development and address service delivery in the poorest provinces. Each SIP comprises of specific infrastructure components and programmes. SIP 11 is Agri-logistics and rural infrastructure, and includes the expansion of agricultural colleges (see “Agricultural Training Institutes / Agricultural Colleges” heading).

The post-school education and training White Paper plans to expand the capacity of, access to, and the quality of South Africa’s higher education institutions. Find it at www.dhet.gov.za.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has partnered with the NEPAD Agency to implement the Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) project within the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

Government departments

Government departments of relevance to this page are the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and of course DALRRD. Find contact details for all departments at www.gov.za.

The two relevant directorates at DALRRD are:

  • Directorate: Sector Education & Training
  • Directorate: Sectoral Colleges

Information on them can be found at www.dalrrd.gov.za.

Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) involved:

Agriculture Sectoral Education and Training Authority (AgriSETA) www.agriseta.co.za

The AgriSETA Board offers financial support to you as employer and employee in respect of training and development programmes.

FoodBev SETA is subdivided into five chambers:

  • Baking, Cereals, Confectionary & Snacks (BCCS)
  • Beverage Manufacturing
  • Dairy Manufacturing
  • Manufacture of Food Preparation Products
  • Processed and Preserved Meat, Fish, Fruit and Vegetables

Visit www.foodbev.co.za.

Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Education and Training Authority (FP&M SETA) www.fpmseta.org.za The SETA responsible for training in the forestry sector

Health & Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) www.hwseta.org.za Agriculture and its related outputs are very dependent on veterinary science, which falls under the HWSETA

Associations involved

  • Association of Principals of Agricultural Colleges (APAC), Majela Mashiloane Tel: 015 294 3000
  • Association of South African Agricultural Educators (ASAAE) https://asaae.co.za
  • Association of Students of Agricutural Training Institutes (ASATI) www.facebook.com/ASATI22/
  • Higher Education Learning & Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) http://heltasa.org.za/
  • Human Resource Development Council (HRDCSA) www.hrdcsa.org.za
  • South African Agricultural Teaching Association (SAATA) www.facebook.com/groups/593871300762287/
  • Technical Vocational Education and Training College Governors Council (TVETCGC) Tel: 012 664 1140 www.tvetcgc.org
  • The South African Technology Network (SATN) is a voluntary association of universities of technology (UoTs) www.satn.org.za
  • UMALUSI Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training www.umalusi.org.za
  • Universities South Africa / University Councils Chairpersons Forum-SA (UCCF-SA), Formerly Higher Education South Africa (HESA), www.usaf.ac.za

Agricultural schools

Three branches of agriculture studies are offered at these schools: Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Technology and Agricultural Management Practices, the last two being practical in nature.

  • Agricultural Sciences is the study of the relationship between soils, plants and animals in the production and processing of food, fibre, fuel and any other agricultural commodities that have an economic, aesthetic and cultural value. It is an integrated science that combines the knowledge and skills from Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics and Economics. This subject must be seen within the holistic science framework rather than as an isolated science.
  • Agricultural Management Practices is the study and application of economic and management principles that are used in the production, transformation and marketing of food and other agricultural products. The foregoing principles are used in the production and value adding of high quality agricultural products that have economic, aesthetic, social and cultural value.
  • Agricultural Technology focuses on technological processes used in agriculture to create an understanding of how processes, equipment and structures are used with people, soil, plants, animals and their products to use the environment, to sustain and maintain quality of life and to promote economic, aesthetic and sound cultural values.

Schools that offer all three (Agricultural Schools) are listed here. For a list of other schools which offer Agricultural Sciences but are not classed as “Agricultural Schools”, contact SAATA (details under “Associations involved” heading).

 

Eastern Cape

SchoolContact Details
Hoër Landbouskool Marlow (Cradock)Tel: 048 881 3121 www.marlow.co.za
Phandulwazi Agricultural High School (Alice)

Cell: 062 122 0337 www.facebook.com/groups/143262439065246/

Winterberg Agricultural High School (Fort Beaufort) Tel: 046 555 0005 www.winagric.co.za

 

Free State

 

School

Website/Contact Details

Bultfontein Hoërskool

(Bultfontein)

Tel: 051 853 1140

www.facebook.com/bulties

Hoërskool Hendrik Potgieter (Reddersburg)

Tel:  051 553 0129

www.facebook.com/lanties

Hoërskool Trio High School

Tel: 056 212 5433 www.triohs.co.za

Landboudal Agricultural High School (Jacobsdal)

Tel:  053 050 9392 https://landboudal.co.za

Reitz Landbou Akademie

Tel: 058 863 2701

www.facebook.com/reitzlandbouakademie/

UnicomHigh School

(Tweespruit)

Tel:  051 963 0013

 

Weiveld Landbouskool en Hotelskool (Parys)

Tel: 056 817 6688

www.facebook.com/weiveldschool/

Gauteng

SchoolContact Details
Hoërskool Bekker (Magaliesburg)Tel: 014 577 5936/9 https://bekkerhs.co.za 

 

KwaZulu-Natal

 

School

Website/Contact Details

James Nxumalo Agricultural High School (Ulundi)

Tel: 083 321 0608

www.facebook.com/JamesAlumniAssociation/

Vryheid Agricultural High School

(Vryheid)

Tel: 034 982 6005/06/07 http://vryheidlandbou.co.za

Weston Agricultural College

(Mooi River)

Tel:  033 263 1328

www.weston.co.za

 

Limpopo

 

School

Website/Contact Details

Dimani Agricultural High School (Shayandima)

Tel: 015 964 3520

https://dimaniagricschool.org.za

Kheto Nxumayo Agricultural High School (Giyani)

Tel: 015 812 3315 / 083 366 5949

ikhetho [at] yahoo.com

Hoër Landbouskool Kuschke (Eerstegoud)

Tel:  015 225 8902/03/04

Tel: 071 221 8146

https://kuschke.co.za

Merensky High School (Tzaneen)

Tel:  015 305 7901/02/04 https://hsmerensky.co.za

Settlers Agricultural High School (Settlers)

Tel: 014 730 1800/11

www.settlers.co.za

Tshipakoni Secondary School (Vumani)

Tel: 071 251 0934

 

 

Mpumalanga

 

School

Website/Contact Details

Beestepan Agricultural High School (Middleburg)

Cell: 013 297 1697 / 082 682 2923

Mahhushe Agricultural High School (Kwalugedlane)

Tel:  082 812 8688

 

Mathews Phosa College (Schagen)

Tel:  013 733 3224

www.mathewsphosacollege.com

Hoërskool Middelburg (Middleburg)

Tel:  013 282 7393/4/5

https://middies.co.za

Morgenzon Landbou Akademie (Morgenzon)

Tel:  017 793 3089/58 

https://hsmorgenzon.co.za

Perdekop Agricultural High School (Perdekop)

Tel:  017 785 1028 

Sinethemba Secondary School (Piet Refief)

Tel:  017 730 0094  

Suikerland Secondary School (Malelane)

Tel:  013 790 1191

Umzimvelo Agricultural School (Ermelo)

Tel:  017 819 5820

 

 

North West

 

School

Website/Contact Details

Kromellenboog Combined School (Christiana)

Tel: 061 495 1537

https://kromellenboogcombined.co.za

PH Moeketsi Agricultural High School (Taung)

Tel: 053 994 1845/7

Tel: 082 696 7554

www.facebook.com/p/Ph-Moeketsi-Agriculture-High-School-100063867937857/

Hoërskool Sannieshof (Sannieshof)

Tel:  018 683 0011

www.sannieshof.net

Hoërskool Wagpos (Brits)

Tel:  012 072 2733

https://wagposhs.co.za

 

Northern Cape

SchoolContact Details
Hoërskool Martin Oosthuizen (Kakamas)Tel: 054 431 0884/5 admin [at] hmoskool.co.za www.hmoskool.co.za
Hoër Landbouskool Noord-Kaapland (Jan Kempdorp)Tel: 053 456 4345 / 082 851 7652 www.facebook.com/groups/25712780312/

Western Cape

SchoolContact Details
Augsburg Landbougimnasium (Clanwilliam)

Tel: 027 482 2120/2 

www.augsburggim.co.za

Boland Agricultural High School (Windmeul)

Tel: 021 869 8143 

https://bolandlandbou.co.za

Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale (Riversdal)

Tel: 028 713 2549 

www.oakdale.co.za

 

Agricultural Training Institutes / Agricultural Colleges

Agricultural Training Institutes, also called Agricultural Colleges, offer higher education for those wanting to follow a career in agriculture, as well as short courses, previously known as further education training (FET), now technical, vocational education and training (TVET).

These short courses are offered in animal production, crop production, as well as in areas like tractor maintenance and the safe handling of chemicals. A document Structured Training Programmes, listing all short courses, may be found on www.dalrrd.gov.za. Alternatively, contact the Agricultural Training Institute of your choosing.

Institution and ProvinceContact Details
Fort Cox (Eastern Cape)Tel: 040 653 8033/4  www.fortcox.ac.za
Grootfontein (Eastern Cape)Tel: 049 842 1113  http://gadi.agric.za
Mpofu (Eastern Cape)Tel: 040 664 9064 / 53 / 54
Tsolo Agricultural College (Eastern Cape)Tel: 047 542 3700
www.tardi.ac.za
Glen College (Free State)Tel: 066 159 7561 or 066 475 8962 www.glenagriculturecollege.co.za
Cedara (KwaZulu-Natal)Tel: 033 355 9304  www.kzndard.gov.za
Owen Sithole (KwaZulu-Natal)Tel: 035 795 1345  www.kzndard.gov.za
Madzivhandila (Limpopo)Tel: 015 962 7200  www.madzicollege.gov.za
Tompi Seleka (Limpopo)Tel: 013 268 9300/1/2  www.lda.gov.za and www.tsca.gov.za
Lowveld (Mpumalanga)Tel: 073 901 5964  www.ump.ac.za
Potchefstroom (North West)Tel: 018 285 0700 https://potchagricollege.co.za
Taung (North West)Tel: 060 504 8149  
Elsenburg (Western Cape)Branches: George Campus – 044 874 7739 Oudtshoorn Campus – 044 272 6077 Clanwilliam Campus – 021 482 1362 Tel: 021 808 5451 Fax: 021 884 4319 www.elsenburg.com

 

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges offering agriculture

Institution

Contact details

Boland TVET College

 

https://bolandcollege.com

Coastal KZN TVET College

www.coastalkzn.co.za

Ehlanzeni TVET College

www.ehlanzenicollege.co.za

Elangeni Sivananda TVET College

www.elangeni.edu.za

Gert Sibande TVET College

https://gscollege.edu.za

Ikhala TVET College

www.ikhala.edu.za

King Hintsa TVET College

www.kinghintsacollege.edu.za

Lovedale TVET College

Tel: 043 642 1331

Majuba Technology Centre

www.majuba.edu.za

Maluti TVET College (Sefikeng Campus)

www.malutitvet.co.za

Mthashana TVET College

https://mthashanacollege.co.za

Taletso TVET College

http://taletso.edu.za

Umfolozi TVET College

www.umfolozicollege.co.za

Vuselela TVET College

https://vuselelacollege.co.za

Waterberg TVET College

https://waterbergcollege.co.za

Westcol TVET College

www.westcol.co.za

 

 Find a full list of TVET Colleges per province at  www.studentroom.co.za and www.careerhelp.org.za

Learnerships, apprenticeships and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Find the “Skills delivery” and option at www.agriseta.co.za.

Learnerships and apprenticeships are a combination of on-the-job learning along with some theoretical training. The major part of the training can be offered on the farm.

They are available in the following subjects: Agricultural Management; Agronomy, Animal Husbandry and Horticulture (for both farm owner and farm worker); Plant Production; Mixed Farming Systems; Fruit Packaging and Grading; Agricultural Machinery; Grain Handling; Grain Milling; Dry Pet Food Processing; Poultry Production; Poultry Processing; Red Meat (Abattoir Processes, Supervision, Slaughtering; Meat Examination); Seed (Production, Marketing, Research & Development; Processing etc); Sugar; Sugar Processing; Rooibos Processing; and Tobacco.

learnership leads to a qualification and the level of qualification starts at Level 1 (equal to Grade 9). The highest level is level 5. Although it is not unit standard based, the apprenticeship also leads to a recognised national qualification indicating that you are competent in the skill for which you trained.

There are many financial incentives for a business owner to put employees (and unemployed people) on these learning programmes. AgriSETA picks up the bill for most aspects of the training (including a weekly allowance if the learner is unemployed), and the employer receives tax deduction benefits once the leaner has successfully completed his/her training.

The employer and learner will sign an agreement for the duration of the learnership/apprenticeship. The strategy is that the employer offers an opportunity to the learner to obtain practical experience in the work place, the practical experience obviously having some bearing on the learner’s theoretical training.

After completion of the learnership, the employer will have no further obligation towards the learner. By taking in such a learner you as employer get the opportunity of evaluating the person with a view to future employment.

Do your staff have various skills, competencies and experiences acquired outside of formal education and training? They could be awarded academic credit for these towards a formal certificate. Find out about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)The brochure at www.kzndard.gov.za is a good place to start.

Adult Basic Education Training (ABET) and General Training

A number of AgriSETA-accredited providers offer ABET training (see next heading).

AgriSETA accredited training providers

comprehensive list of AgriSETA accredited training providers (nearly 500 of them) can be found on the AgriSETA website.

Accredited training providers in related sectors can be found on the websites of FoodBev and the forestry SETA, FP&M SETA. Visit www.foodbev.co.za and www.fpmseta.org.za respectively. Training providers accredited with other SETAs also offer training relevant to the agricultural sector e.g. Resonance Institute of Learning offers business and financial training for co-operatives and small-scale farmer businesses.

Agricultural Research Council (ARC) training

Find the “Training & advisory services” option at www.arc.agric.za.

The ARC campuses are able to structure courses upon request. The numbers of persons accepted for the courses and the costs vary and are obtainable from the contact numbers.

 

Livestock and animal health

ARC-Animal Production (ARC-AP) Tel: 012 672 9111

  • Small scale dairy production
  • Meat processing and carcass cutting
  • Aquaculture
  • Advanced Poultry Nutrition
  • Beef Production and Management
  • Dairy Production
  • Pig Production
  • Poultry Production
  • Small Stock Management

ARC-Animal Health Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Campus (ARC-OV) Tel: 012 529 9111

  • Diagnosis of Avian influenza
  • Introduction to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  • Tick Identification
  • Zoonotic Disease

Field crops

ARC-Grain Crops (ARC-GC) Tel: 018 299 6100

  • Basic nematology
  • Introduction to Grain Crops Production
  • Dry Beans Production
  • Groundnut Production
  • Maize Production
  • Sorghum and Millet Production

ARC-Small Grains (ARC-SG) Tel: 058 307 3400

  • Wheat production

ARC-Industrial Crops (ARC-IC) Tel: 012 427 999/014 536 3150

  • Courses on tobacco, cotton and fibre crops are presented.

Horticulture

ARC-Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants (VIMP) Tel: 012 841 9611

  • Hydroponics Vegetable Production
  • Vegetable Production

ARC-Deciduous Fruit, Vines and Wine (ARC-Infruitec/Nietvoorbij) Tel: 021 809 3100

  • Fruit processing
  • Deciduous Fruit Production
  • Basic Business Skills
  • Table Grape Production
  • Honeybush Tea Production

ARC-Tropical and Subtropical Crops (ARC-TSC) Tel: 013 753 7000

  • Processing of subtropical fruit
  • Cultivation of Subtropical crops: Avocado, Citrus & Macadamia, Banana, Guava, Mango & Litchi
  • Propagation of Subtropical Fruit Crops
  • Tissue Culture of Subtropical Crops

Natural resources and engineering

ARC-Plant Health and Protection (ARC-PHP) Tel: 012 808 8000

  • Principles of integrated pest management (IPM) for established and developing agricultural systems
  • Handling, extraction and Identification of plant-parasitic nematodes
  • The identification of phytophagous mites and of slide mounted specimens of selected mite families.
  • Introductory and advanced spider identification courses
  • Identification of some parasitic mites (Acari) of birds and domestic animals in Southern Africa.
  • Alien plant control for land managers
  • Stored Grain & Rodent Management
  • Beekeeping
  • Beeswax and candle making
  • Practical course in phytobacteriology techniques in applied entomology
  • Introductory mycology
  • Introductory Cell Biology
  • Introductory Molecular Biology
  • Fusarium Identification
  • Fungal taxonomy course
  • Plant inspectors course for the identification of quarantine pests and diseases
  • Mushroom production
  • Training of smallholder farmers
  • Ecologically-based rodent pest management

ARC-Agricultural Engineering (ARC-AE) Tel: 012 842 4017

  • Irrigation Evaluation
  • Mechanization planning for crop production
  • Irrigation Design

ARC-Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-SCW) Tel: 012 310 2500

  • Basic Soil Properties: Analysis and Interpretation
  • Conservation Agriculture Training
  • Soil Classification & Mapping
  • Soil Microbiology and Biological Nitrogen Fixation

Universities

Clicking on the university name will take you to its website.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (CPUT)

Faculty of Applied Sciences

Relevant departments are Agriculture, Biotechnology and Consumer Science, Environmental and Occupational Studies, Food Technology, and Horticultural Sciences. Contact numbers and information can be found on the website.

National Diplomas in Agricultural Management and Agriculture (Animal Production or Crop Production), Horticulture, Consumer Science, Environmental Health, Environmental Management, Food Technology and Nature Conservation are offered. BTech and MTech qualifications in these areas are also offered.

CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (CUT)

Health and Environmental Sciences

Department of Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture offers a Diploma (NQF 6), Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) and Post Graduate Diploma (NQF 8) in Agricultural Management. It also offers an Advanced Diploma in Agricultural Extension (NQF 7), a Master’s (NQF 9) and Doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Agriculture, as well as Post-Doctoral Fellowships in Agriculture.

Short courses are also offered, and students and lecturers are involved in community service and frequently liaise with industry. 

Merit bursaries from the 2nd year of study, and Innovation fund bursaries for research projects are available.

DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (DUT)

Applied Sciences

Department of Horticulture

N Dip and B Tech are offered in horticulture

Department of Biotechnology and Food Science 

Undergraduate degrees, honours, masters and PhD qualifications offered.

MANGOSUTHU UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (MUT)

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Department of Agriculture 

Three year National diplomas in Plant production or Animal production offered. Bursaries are available.

NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY (NMU) GEORGE CAMPUS (SAASVELD)

Departments within the School of Natural Resource Management are Forestry, Agriculture, Nature Conservation, Game Ranch Management and Wood Technology. The National Diploma, BTech degree, MTech and DTech in agriculture are offered.

NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY (NMU) PORT ELIZABETH NORTH CAMPUS

National Diploma in Agricultural Management; BTech in Agricultural Management; MTech and DTech in Agriculture.

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (NWU) MAHIKENG CAMPUS

The School of Agricultural Sciences comprises of 4 disciplines: Agricultural Economics and Extension, Animal Health, Animal Sciences and Crop Sciences. Students are enrolled into under- and post-graduate programmes where they are expertly trained in the various disciplines. The School also houses the Centre for Animal Health Studies, which trains Animal Health technicians at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (NWU) POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS
  • Two programmes are offered: BSc (Agric) with Soil Sciences and Agronomy, and BSc (Agric) with Agricultural Economics and Agronomy. 
  • The School of Biological Sciences offers Geology, Zoology, Microbiology, Botany, Geography and Environmental Management. 
  • The School of Economics offers a BCom in Agricultural Economics and Risk Management. 
  • The Research Entity Environmental Science and Management offers a range of subjects that have a bearing on agriculture (mentioned in the relevant chapters of this publication) e.g. Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology, Environmental Management, Integrated Pest Management and Agricultural Economics. 

The North-West University’s Business School provides the certification for the Leadership Academy for Agriculture. See http://leadagri.co.za.

 

Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Agricultural Economics at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus

Agricultural research and education are, and will remain a prerequisite for increasing agricultural productivity and endured competitiveness in a globalised world economy. Agriculture has the ability to generate income for farmers and the rural workforce. This in turn will address food security and poverty alleviation. Given that few countries have achieved economic growth without agricultural development, it can be concluded that the sector can significantly contribute to poverty alleviation. Therefore, agricultural research and education should be a high priority, especially within the developing world.

Therefore, the main aim of the Master’s and Doctoral program in Agricultural Economics at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University is to equip students with knowledge and practical experience that will empower him/her to contribute to solutions relating to these difficult real world challenges in an dynamic agricultural environment.

Contact Dr J van der Merwe at 018 299 2393 or send an email to Johnny.VanDerMerwe [at] nwu.ac.za.

 
STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY (SU)

Faculty of AgriSciences 

Departments are Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Science, Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Food Science, Forest and Wood Science, Genetics and Institute of Plant Biotechnology, Horticultural Science, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, and Viticulture and Oenology (DVO). The faculty also hosts the Institute for Wine Biotechnology (IWBT). Consult the website for contact details and information.

TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (TUT)

Faculty of Science

Departments relevant to this publication are Animal Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Technology, Crop Science, Environmental Health, Environmental Water and Earth Science, Horticulture and Nature Conservation. Find out more on the website.

UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE (UFH)

Faculty of Science and Agriculture 

Departments in the School of Agriculture and Agribusiness are: Agricultural Economics and Extension; Agronomy; Livestock and Pasture Sciences. Departments like Geography, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) etc are housed within the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences or the School of Physical and Computational Sciences.

UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE (UFS)

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences www.ufs.ac.za/natagri

Relevant departments are Agricultural Economics; Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences; the Centre for Environmental Management; Sustainable Food Systems and Development; the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC); the Institute for Groundwater Studies; Microbiology and Biochemistry; Plant Sciences; Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences; and Zoology and Entomology. The faculty also hosts the Paradys Experimental Farm.
.

Short courses for commercial and emerging farmers are available in Afrikaans, English or Sesotho. To find out about the financial planning and strategic management courses offered by the Centre for Agricultural Management, call 051 401 2557 / 3551 or visit www.ufs.ac.za/agriman.

UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL (UKZN)

School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciencehttp://saees.ukzn.ac.za

The School is comprised of 14 disciplines that fall under five clusters: Biophysical Science, Geography, Geology, Production Sciences and Value-Adding. Those of interest to us include Agricultural Meteorology, Soil Science, Animal & Poultry Science, Crop Science, Horticultural Science, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology,Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness, Agricultural Extension & Rural Resources Management, Dietetics & Human Nutrition, and Food Security.

Two other schools of interest to us are:

UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO (UL)

School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Departments are Agricultural Economics and Animal Production; Geography and Environmental Studies; Plant Production, Soil Science and Remote Sensing; and Water and Sanitation.

Research facilities include the Aquaculture Research Unit, the Experimental Farm, the Centre for Rural Empowerment and the Limpopo Agro-Food Technology Station.

UNIVERSITY OF MPUMALANGA (UMP)

School of Agricultural Sciences

A Bachelor of Agriculture degree (Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management), Bachelor of Science degrees (in agriculture and in forestry), as well as various diplomas are offered.

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA (UP) FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

The departments are listed on the faculty web pages, and include a link to where contact details and information are given. Departments in the faculty include: Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development; Animal Science; Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology; Consumer and Food Sciences; Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology; Geology; Plant and and Soil Sciences; Zoology and Entomology.

Their institutes, centres and units include: African Centre for Gene Technologies; Centre for Environmental Studies (CFES); Centre for Environmental Studies (CFES); Conservation Ecology Research Unit (CERU); Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI); UP Water Institute; Conservation Ecology Research Unit (CERU); and the Schweickerdt Herbarium.

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA (UP) FACULTY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE

On the website, find the interactive links to the departments: Anatomy and Physiology, Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Paraclinical Sciences, Production Animal Studies, Veterinary Tropical Diseases. Centres include the Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Equine Research Centre, World Organization for Animal Health Collaborating Centre, and the Onderstepoort Veterinary Genetics Laboratory.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)

The method of studying at UNISA – distance learning along with practical modules at a centre near you – makes this an ideal method of studying or upgrading your qualifications, whether you are an extension officer, potential farmer or entrepreneur.

The College offers both diplomas and degrees under one roof. In Agriculture, for example, a National Diploma and BTech in Agricultural Management as well as a generic BSc (Agric) are offered.

School of Agriculture and Life Sciences

  • Department of Agriculture and Animal Health – the focus is on agricultural management, animal health, food nutrition, food security and social development. This department also hosts the Unit for Indigenous Technological Knowledge Services. 
  • Department of Life and Consumer SciencesLife Sciences e.g. animal physiology, biochemistry, botany, biology, microbiology and zoology; Consumer Sciences e.g. food, clothing and textiles, nutrition and hospitality

School of Environmental Sciences

  • The Department of Environmental Sciences focuses on environmental Science, Environmental Management, Ornamental Horticulture and Nature Conservation. 
  • The Department of Geography offers undergraduate degrees in environmental management and geography modules up to doctoral level. 

The College also hosts the Applied Behavioural Ecological & Ecosystem Research Unit (ABEERU) and the Flylab Genomebase.

UNIVERSITY OF VENDA (UV)

Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture

Of interest to us are the following departments: Food Science and Technology; Department of Animal Science; Department of Plant and Soil Sciences; Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness; Department of Forestry; Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences; Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology; and the Department of Agricultural and Rural Engineering. It also hosts the Institute for Rural Development.

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE (UWC)

Faculty of Natural Sciences 

  • Departments in the faculty include Biotechnology, and Biodiversity and Conservation Biology.
  • Units/Institutes of interest to this publication include the Institute for Water Studies and the South African Herbal Science and Medicine Institute (SAHSMI).
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND

Faculty of Science and Agriculture 

  • Departments include Agriculture; Biochemistry and Microbiology; Botany; Consumer Sciences; Geography and Environmental Studies; Hydrology; and Zoology.
VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (VUT)

Faculty of Applied & Computer Sciences

  • Department of Biotechnology 

Websites and publications

Visit the websites listed earlier on this page.

Some articles