North West Agriculture MEC Launches Youth Empowerment Drive Across Districts

In a bold and transformative initiative, North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, has kicked off a series of district-level engagements aimed at empowering youth in agriculture. This campaign, rooted in a commitment to sustainable rural development, is designed to give young people across the province the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to lead the future of South African agriculture.

The campaign’s first stop took place on Monday, 30 June 2025, in Coligny, within the Ngaka Modiri Molema District. The initiative is led in collaboration with the Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) structure—a dynamic youth-led body established to represent and elevate young voices across the agriculture value chain.

“This is not a ceremonial exercise,” said MEC Sambatha. “It is a deliberate strategy to reposition young people as central drivers of agricultural growth and rural transformation. We are here to remove bottlenecks, unlock opportunities, and invest in future producers.”

A Province-Wide Rollout for Youth-Led Growth

The district engagements will continue as follows:

• Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District – Friday, 4 July, at Mooilagte Farm, Naledi Local Municipality

• Dr Kenneth Kaunda District – Friday, 11 July, at Ga-Matsapola Farm

• Bojanala Platinum District – Monday, 14 July, at Moses Kotane Local Municipality

Each session is structured to empower young farmers with practical skills, funding knowledge, and entrepreneurial support. The initiative integrates partners across government, academia, and industry to create a multi-stakeholder ecosystem of support for emerging agripreneurs.

Partners Bridging Gaps in Skills and Capital

Among the key partners participating in the initiative are:

• National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)

• North West University Business School

• Small Enterprise Finance and Development Agency (SEFDA)

• AgriSETA

• Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

• Commercial banks

• Development finance institutions

These partners provide comprehensive insights into financial instruments, skills development, research and innovation, and market access strategies tailored for youth-owned agri-enterprises.

“These sessions serve as a gateway for young people to access critical information on funding, mentorship, climate-smart technologies, and markets,” the department explained.

A Practical, Hands-On Learning Approach

Unlike traditional workshops, each engagement includes live demonstrations, hands-on planting activities, and exposure to climate-resilient farming techniques. The approach encourages experiential learning, ensuring participants not only learn theory but see it applied in real time.

The inclusion of climate-smart agriculture aligns with broader provincial efforts to equip farmers for the realities of climate change, water scarcity, and soil degradation—all major threats to agricultural productivity.

Integrating Youth into District Economic Development Plans

These engagements are implemented in partnership with local municipalities under the District Development Model (DDM), a framework that promotes coordinated planning and service delivery at district level. Through this model, the department ensures that youth aspirations and projects are aligned with local economic development goals and budget allocations.

The department’s strategy ensures that youth voices inform planning around land access, agri-infrastructure, and rural investment programs.

A Call to Action: Youth Participation Essential

MEC Sambatha encouraged all young people involved in farming, agro-processing, and rural enterprise to participate in the sessions and fully utilize the support network provided by the provincial government and its partners.

“This is your time,” he told the audience in Coligny. “The doors are opening. Take the lead, build your agri-enterprises, and become the change agents of rural development.”

The initiative is not only about empowerment, but also about accountability and long-term impact. The department is tracking outcomes from these engagements and plans to develop tailored support packages for youth participants who demonstrate innovation, growth potential, and commitment.

Looking Ahead: Institutionalizing Youth in Agriculture

This engagement series forms part of a broader provincial and national push to institutionalize youth participation in agriculture. The outcomes will inform policy development, funding priorities, and future programs under the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).

By elevating the role of young farmers and ensuring equitable access to resources, the North West Provincial Government aims to create a resilient, inclusive, and youth-led agricultural sector capable of contributing meaningfully to food security, job creation, and economic transformation.