A recent visit to the young agricultural students from Tuks (University of Pretoria) clearly shows: Agriculture in South Africa is not an outdated profession with a limited future – agriculture is a combination of many professions, where success can be achieved, and a sustainable future can be created.
Tuks’ agricultural students emanate a feeling of optimism, excitement, and hope for the future of agriculture, as if they were all speaking from one mouth!
Young men’s strong love for farming.
The agricultural youth of today guarantee the agriculture of the future. ProAgri asked some of the young men to tell how and where they see the future of agriculture:
Francois Briers, Plant and Soil Science student at Tuks Agriculture, says: “I had the great privilege to grow up on a farm. My father is a farmer and my greatest teacher and inspiration. Farming is what I know, this is what I do, and my big dream is to let this tradition and industry live on. There is still a big way ahead for us.”
Francois Briers, Plant and Soil Science student at Tuks Agriculture.
Izak Van Der Merwe, Animal Science student at Tuks Agriculture, says: “For me as young emerging farmer it is important to remain actively involved in the agricultural sector, through shows like NAMPO, agricultural events such as farmers’ days and attending auctions, and also at agricultural organisations such as TAU-SA, to get the necessary exposure and build up a network of contacts.”
Izak Van Der Merwe, Animal Science student at Tuks Agriculture.
He adds: “The future for us young farmers really excites me. If you have a love and passion for something, you should follow it. Although there are many challenges, it is still something about which I am very enthusiastic and excited. Farming is my life and what I live for!”
HW Beeken, Plant and Soil Science student at Tuks Agriculture, says: “Since childhood I have had a love and enthusiasm for the agricultural industry. Agriculture is a way of life, agriculture is love, and agriculture is non-stop challenges.”
HW Beeken, Plant and Soil Science student at Tuks Agriculture.
He adds: “I think we can learn a lot from our ancestors and the generations before us. They did groundbreaking and backbreaking work here in Africa, and if it were not for that foundation, we would not reap the fruit today and create our own stories of success. Agriculture is much more than just an everyday work; one develops a love for it.”
Jewyk Pretorius, Animal Science student at Tuks Agriculture, says: “The agricultural sector is currently showing incredible growth and progress and it symbolises sustainability for me. I am excited about the future of the agricultural industry, and what it means to us as young up-and-coming farmers. I think it would be short sighted not to grasp the opportunities that come our way with both hands and make the most of it.”
Jewyk Pretorius, Animal Science student at Tuks Agriculture.
Agriculture offers many opportunities
Case IH’s people believe it is important to stay involved in organised agriculture, because agriculture is a difficult sector to enter, but offers so many opportunities, even for an entrepreneur. That is why Case IH stays in contact with the farming community and the young farmers entering the industry. Young people carry the promise of a healthy future in agriculture.
Case IH and Tuks Agriculture believe that the young, emerging farmers hold the future of South Africa’s agriculture safely their hands. Case IH is excited to be part of the progress of agriculture and the role they play in it, says Chimene de Villiers, Marketing Manager of Case IH.
Watch the video The future of agriculture rests in the hands of the next generation of farmers.
