PERSPECTIVES ON THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN SOUTH AFRICA

It is obvious that… Agriculture today is an industry that needs to be internationally competitive and needs to focus on whole supply chain issues. It is essential for South Africa to develop and invest through education and training, in its richest resource – people, in order to succeed in the global market.

Agricultural skills & knowledge base cannot be acquired by experience or previous generations – much of these are - new - technologically complex and - change rapidly.

SA investment in AET is required for competitive advantage to deliver agricultural science knowledge, business management and technical skills e.g in Food health and Safety Training in safe chemical handling Quality Assurance Integrated pest and disease management strategies Sustainable resource management Genetically modified plants and animals Greenhouse gases and global warming Changing business environment and international trade and Other issues at the forefront of Agriculture.

AET Critical skills 1.Agricultural Production 2. Agricultural Economics 3.Agricultural Engineering 4.Agricultural Development 5.Veterinary Science

AET at tertiary level (HE) in SA

Education Laws Amendment Act No. 57 of 2001 HE Amendment Act No. 55 of 1999 HE Act 101 of 1997 Employment of Educators Act No. 76 of 1998 Quality Promotion and Development 1999 National Student Financial aid Scheme Act No. 56 of 1999 South African Qualifications Act No. 58 of 1995 HE Amendment Act No. 54 of 2000 NATIONAL WORKING GROUP: THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN SOUTH AFRICA. DEC Promotion of Access to Information Act Programme Accreditation HE Funding formula 2004 HEQC CHE HE Language Policy HEMIS NQF

Questions to ask: What have we achieved so far? Where are we at present? Where are we going?

Where are we at present? We are merging. We are managing mergers. We are shaping our structures and finances. We are streamlining our …… We are also merging Faculties including Agricultural Sciences!......

Universities in SA that had Faculties of Agriculture have merged them with other Natural Sciences. Main Reason: Financial constraints and sharing of Scientific facilities RESULT: AGRICULTURE IS LOSING ITS IDENTITY and CORE STRENGTH AS RESULT OF MERGERS AND FAILED COLLABORATIONS

THE WAY FORWARD.

CLOSE COLLABORATION BETWEEN DoE AND DoA DoA TO INFORM DoE ON DESIRED AET PROGRAMS

NDIYA BULELA NGIYA BONGA