Rising Interest in Agriculture as a Career Among Young South Africans

Cape Town – An increasing number of youth in South Africa are choosing agriculture as a viable career option, not only for subsistence but as a promising pathway to earn a decent living while actively contributing to the nation’s food production value chain.

In contrast to earlier generations that often viewed farming as a last resort, today’s young farmers wholeheartedly embrace agriculture as a profession, equipping themselves with the necessary knowledge, skills, and connections for success.

This shift is playing a significant role in transforming the agricultural sector while bolstering South Africa’s economy.

Young South Africans are enrolling in agricultural programs at universities and educational institutions, participating in expos, and joining knowledge-sharing forums.

Their engagement signals a dedicated choice to pursue farming seriously rather than as a fallback option.

This emerging generation of farmers is committed to their agricultural careers, perceiving it as a profession rather than merely a hobby.

They are not only searching for funding opportunities; they are also investing in personal growth and expertise to build sustainable enterprises.

While determining the precise number of young farmers entering South Africa’s agricultural landscape each year is challenging, evidence indicates an increasing level of youth engagement in the sector.

For example, initiatives like the Agricultural Youth Fund support youth-led farming ventures, while organizations such as Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) promote engagement and provide networking assistance.

With the average age of farmers in South Africa at around 57, fostering youth involvement is crucial for the sector’s sustainable future.

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Economic Summary reports that early 2025 witnessed significant growth in agricultural employment, with a quarter-on-quarter increase of 27% (51,282 jobs) and a year-on-year rise of 13% (28,994 jobs).

This upward trend was primarily driven by a 34% increase in crop farming employment, alongside a modest 1% rise in animal farming.

Agriculture continues to be a cornerstone of South Africa’s economy, with agricultural exports experiencing a year-on-year increase of 10% in the first quarter of 2025, tallying $3.36 billion.

This growth was largely supported by rising exports of grapes, maize, apples, and wine. Additionally, agriculture contributed 0.1% to South Africa’s GDP growth in the first quarter, playing a key role in avoiding a recession.

The resilience of this sector underscores its significance in maintaining national economic stability.

However, despite the growing interest among youth in farming in recent years, it is important to recognize that entering the sector presents challenges for aspiring young farmers.

Challenges include limited land ownership, high input costs, and inadequate access to financing.

Other obstacles hindering youth participation in agriculture encompass restricted market access, low returns, high mechanization expenses, and insufficient farming knowledge and technical skills.

Improving land accessibility, providing financial resources, and sharing relevant information are essential measures to enable youth involvement in agriculture.

This is where the Land Bank’s Blended Financial Scheme (BFS) and its pre- and post-finance services can have a significant impact.

The BFS was developed in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.

This initiative aims to commercialize developmental farmers and ensure meaningful participation of black producers and predominantly black-owned businesses in managing and owning agricultural value chains in South Africa.

The BFS combines grants and loans into relatively affordable financing to support producers engaged in agricultural value chain activities and aggregation.

It seeks to aid farming projects in achieving sustainability and growth, prioritizing those with high developmental impact.

Younger, dedicated farmers with commercially viable agricultural projects now have the opportunity to access affordable financing through this blended finance scheme.

The BFS will unlock the potential of young agripreneurs, heralding a new era of agriculture driven by knowledge, innovation, and sustainability.

This new generation of farmers is not just filling gaps; they are actively shaping the future of food production, export markets, and rural development.

Their commitment ensures that agriculture remains a pillar of economic growth instead of a last-resort option.

South Africa’s agricultural outlook is bright, thanks to the dedication of its youth.

Their proactive approach to farming, coupled with effective financial support and a strong export market, is paving the way for a flourishing industry.

As they continue to invest in their skills and ventures, the nation stands to benefit from a robust and sustainable agricultural sector.

*The author of this article is Sydney Soundy, the Chief Strategy Officer at Land Bank