How to become a Farmer in South Africa in 2021, and what are the minimum requirements: Do you what to know what it takes to become the best and skilled Farmer in South Africa? Or you might be saying “I want to be a farmer, where do I start?” or, “how to start farming with no money in South Africa“?
Which farming is most profitable in South Africa
- Fast-growing produce
- Baby Carrots farming
- Lettuce farming
- Squash farming
- Cucumber Farming
Chicken Farming
- Produce Eggs
- Produce Chicken Meat
- Produce Fertilisers
Small Scale Farming Ideas in South Africa
If you are looking for Small Scale Farming Ideas in South Africa, start a Microgreens Farming. Microgreens are young vegetables or baby plants that are around 10-14 days old and one to 3 inches tall. They are the small edible vegetables that restaurants use as garnishing for a dish or serve in a salad.
You’ll find that they’re in high demand; customers like their visual appeal and health benefits. Beginner farmers should consider this business because microgreens are easy to grow, turnaround time is high, and it requires little investment to start. And because they can be grown in a small space, even indoors, they are considered a highly profitable investment.
Is there a demand for Farmer skills in South Africa?
There is still a demand for Farmer in South Africa. However, you should note that any job can easily become redundant in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The world of work is a rapidly changing environment as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has taken root in our society globally. The 4IR is characterized by the increasing capabilities of technology and its effect on work automation and artificial intelligence, greater global connectivity, wearable tech, and the Internet of Things.
The South African government has listed two specific jobs in farming on the skills shortage list under agriculture:
- Agricultural Engineer.
- Agricultural Scientist.
Agricultural Engineer: An agricultural engineer “use their engineering and biological science knowledge to solve agricultural problems. They usually work with automated machinery, electrification structures, soil and water conservations, and mechanical processing of agricultural products, etc.”
Agricultural Scientist: Agricultural scientists “study farming and endeavor to increase productivity. They look for ways to improve quality, but in a less labor-intensive way. They also try to conserve soil and water and make farming more safe and effective.”
What skills are required for Farmer job title?
To become a successful Farmer, you need to ensure you possess the following required or useful skills:
- organic farming skills
- crop skills
- farms skills
- agribusiness skills
- grain skills
- livestock skills
- agronomy skills
- agriculture skills
- vegetable skills
What Universities and Colleges in SA offer courses related to Farmer
There are many learning institutions in South Africa offering courses to enable you to build a career as Farmer. Below are the institutions that offer a wide range of courses related to Farmer:
Universities
- University of Johannesburg
- Wits
- University of Cape Town
- UNISA
Colleges
- Rosebank
- IQ Academy
What Minimum High School Subjects are required for Farmer career?
Due to the overwhelming number of applicants at many learning institutions in South Africa, most top Colleges and Universities maintain that students who have received an NSC Matric mark of 70% for English (home language or first additional language), Mathematics, Physical Science subjects will have a higher chance of being admitted for most of the courses offered. However, you can still enroll to study to become Farmer even with fewer marks.
Also note that entry requirements for Farmer related courses vary based on your qualification type: Certificate, Degree, Honours, Masters, or Ph.D.
How long does it take to become Farmer in South Africa?
When it comes to how long does it take to become a professional Farmer, there is no clear-cut answer as there are a number of steps involved, just like any other career. Every person is on a professional journey of some kind, one that begins with our first work experiences and ends at full retirement or end of life.
Let’s ignore the differences in professions, job function, job level, and industries. This concept of a professional journey applies whether we are employees, entrepreneurs, freelancers, or other self-employed professionals.
