GEORGE NEWS - B Tech Agricultural Management students of the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) George Campus manned a stall at the George Show as a platform to engage with the Agri sector. Students used the opportunity to provide feedback on the outcomes of an innovative programme involving the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and first-time farmers in the region.
Programme background
Manie Grobler of the Department of Agriculture, specialist advisor about livestock, initiated a programme in 2007 to assist farmers who acquired land for the first time through the land reform process, to farm on a sustainable and commercial scale. The programme includes the annual monitoring and evaluation of farms to provide this information to the farmers for their own production and management planning, and to aid the department with their extension and support functions to first-time farmers.
The agricultural management unit at NMU was involved in this programme since inception and has been a close partner.
Demonstrating NMU's commitment to the broader community in a tangible way, the B Tech Agricultural Management students annually spend two weeks in the field, working together with farmers and extension officials of the Department of Agriculture.
Scope of work
During their fieldwork, students assist with production activities such as weighing and classing of animals, marking and tagging, vaccination and dosing if needed. A comprehensive survey is done of production and management practices of the past production year. Back on campus, students spend another two weeks or so to do a full economic analysis of each farm, using this information.
The profitability of all livestock enterprises are analysed individually, followed by an analysis of the entire farm operation to determine profitability and return on investment. The production data is analysed by Grobler and his team of agricultural advisors and the results of the annual survey is then presented to farmers during an information day. Apart from a presentation by the lecturer of the final economic results for all the farms combined, students are required to assume the role of consultant /advisor, each discussing the economics of the farm they analysed.
B Tech Agricultural Management student, Baphelele Qoboka (left) gives feedback to Ernest Joubert, a farmer from Brandwacht near Mossel Bay. Joubert farms with Dorper sheep and Nguni cattle and has been part of the project since 2011.
This year the feedback and consultation sessions have been scheduled to coincide with the George Agricultural Show, where the Western Cape Department of Agriculture is running a programme specifically tailored to the needs of first-time farmers.
Mutually beneficial
This engagement initiative is believed to play an important role in agricultural development in various ways. Firstly, farmers are provided with valuable performance management information that they can use in their production and financial management.
NMU B Tech Agricultural Management student, Pinkie Kapa (left), in consultation with Freddie Persensie, a farmer from Herbertsdale. An extension officer of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture in Riversdale looks on.
Such information would normally be quite costly to obtain from consultants. Secondly, useful information is generated for use by officials of the Department of Agriculture in their extension and development functions. Lastly, the project provides a platform for offering practical real-time management education for agricultural management students.
Students gain valuable knowledge, skills and experience, which they can use to great advantage in their future careers.
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