Women in agriculture urged to seize empowerment opportunities

Women farmers, graduates and cooperatives can make full use of government programmes designed to help them grow their businesses, advance their careers and strengthen their contribution to the agricultural sector.

Women remain central to South Africa’s food system, from producing food and running farms to leading cooperatives, processing agricultural products, creating jobs, training others and supporting rural communities.

To expand their role in the sector, women need access to land, finance, training, markets, research opportunities and practical farmer support. 

The Department of Agriculture provides the following guidance to help women position themselves for available opportunities:

• Register as a farmer through the official Farmer Registration Portal and keep production and contact details up to date.
• Monitor the Department of Agriculture’s official notices, media releases, vacancies and provincial agriculture channels for application calls.
• Prepare a basic farming or agro-processing business plan, production records, proof of land access and relevant registration documents, where required by a programme.
• Follow the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) careers pages for bursaries, professional development, internships and research opportunities.
• Follow the National Agricultural Marketing Council’s (NAMC) opportunities pages for graduate placements, career guidance and market-development information.
• Engage provincial agriculture offices and extension services for information on production support, training, animal and plant health, food safety and market access.

Food security, cooperatives, agro-processing and market access

• Government programmes support household food gardens, cooperatives, agro-processing and access to markets.
• These programmes help farmers and cooperatives add value to raw agricultural products and improve their income potential.
• The Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan supports transformation, farmer support, finance, research, extension services, market access and job creation.
• To apply or request support, farmers should contact the Department of Agriculture or their nearest provincial agriculture office for guidance on food security, cooperative development, agro-processing and market access.
• Farmers should prepare basic documents such as proof of identity, proof of land access, cooperative registration documents where applicable, a simple business plan, production records and quotations for equipment or inputs, if required.

Agricultural Research Council professional development

• The Professional Development Programme helps suitable candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds gain research and technical skills.
• Participants may receive fixed-term appointments, mentorship, vacation work and support while they study.
• Relevant fields include agricultural and natural sciences, engineering, veterinary science, biology, botany, biochemistry, microbiology, mathematics and statistics.
• Programme opportunities are advertised through the Agricultural Research Council’s official vacancies platform when available.
• To apply, candidates should monitor the ARC careers and vacancies pages, as Professional Development Programme opportunities are advertised during the year. Applicants should prepare their CV, certified qualifications, academic record and proof of South African citizenship, where required.

Agricultural Research Council postgraduate opportunities

• The ARC periodically offers bursaries and research opportunities for honours, master’s and doctoral students in agricultural science.
• Fields have included plant science, crop science, horticulture, food science, natural-resource management, agricultural engineering, animal science, biotechnology, informatics and agricultural economics.
• Successful candidates may be based at an ARC institute and work under mentorship on prescribed research projects.
• Postgraduate bursaries and research opportunities are advertised when funding is available. Applicants should check the ARC vacancies and careers pages regularly and apply before the closing date shown in each advert.

National Agricultural Marketing Council youth and graduate pathways

• The Y-Agriculture programme promotes agricultural careers, skills development and awareness of opportunities in the sector.
• The programme provides career guidance and profiles agricultural professionals and young farmers to encourage wider participation in agriculture.
• The Council’s 2026/27 graduate placement programme advertised 12-month placements in agricultural economics, agribusiness management, finance, public relations, logistics, information technology and other fields.
• Applicants should check the NAMC careers page regularly, as each opportunity has its own closing date and application requirements.
• NAMC opportunities are advertised on the official NAMC careers page. Graduate placement applications are normally submitted online, and applicants should not email applications unless the advert specifically says so. NAMC can be contacted on 012 341 1115 or at info@namc.co.za for general enquiries. - SAnews.gov.za