Youth must sow, so country can reap
The MEC for agriculture, rural development, land and environmental affairs, Mandla Msibi, led a delegation of senior managers during a visit to the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) on Tuesday, aimed at strengthening relations between the two institutions.
During this visit, Msibi said agriculture remains key to sustainable development and food security, and it is therefore important to elevate the level of research and innovation, including collaborating in all programmes with the UMP, so that farmers, especially women and the youth, benefi t from it.
READ: “We still have space for the BCom, Bsc, Diploma in Agriculture” – UMP
Msibi and UMP’s vice chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso, agreed that the existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) should be taken to the next level of practicality, to also benefi t students with their practical work in restituted farms, and their innovation and research, including in environment initiatives.
“It is high time we make and take this MOU to the next level and make it work for our people. We need to get more young people involved in agriculture. We must encourage them to participate in this sector,” Msibi said.
Later in the day Msibi and his delegation visited the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in Mbombela, to emphasise the importance of collaboration with the department to help farmers with research in ensuring pest-free zones and animal health. At the ARC, Msibi also had the opportunity to append his signature to one very old attendance register for VIPs visiting the 95-year-old institution. It is reported that Queen Elizabeth also signed it during her visit to the ARC many years ago.
