North West Places 110 Agricultural Graduates on Farms to Tackle Youth Unemployment and Strengthen Food Security
Farmers Magazine | 18.08.2026 18:04
The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has placed 110 unemployed agricultural graduates on farms and at agricultural facilities across the province as part of the Unemployed Graduate Placement Programme for the 2026/28 intake. The initiative aims to address youth unemployment while giving qualified graduates practical experience in the agricultural sector. Participants will spend two years gaining workplace experience, strengthening their technical skills and applying their academic knowledge in real agricultural environments. The programme also seeks to increase the meaningful participation of young people in agriculture while supporting food security and economic development across the North West. By connecting graduates with practical opportunities, the department is creating a pathway between tertiary education, employment and future entrepreneurship.
