It is now official; the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture will play a critical role towards the establishment of South Africa’s 13th College of Agriculture, the West Rand Agricultural Training Institute in Gauteng province.
The agreement to officially begin with the processes was confirmed today, Monday, 29 July, as the Heads of the North West and Gauteng Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).
This means the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will through its Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, immediately put systems in place to ensure that Gauteng’s West Rand Agricultural Training Institute is well prepared to offer mixed farming training for students to be admitted at that new training institute.
Ms Priscilla Peterson, the Acting Head of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Gauteng, said they approached the North West province for assistance as the mixed farming curriculum offered at the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture is known to be among the best in the country.
“The plan is for the West Rand Agricultural Training Institute to run under the auspices of the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture until we are granted full accreditation,” remarked Ms Peterson who said they expect this partnership to work at the advantage of the two provinces.
Expressing his excitement about this agreement, the Acting Head of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West province, Dr Poncho Mokaila, said the department is grateful to have been recognised and chosen to assist Gauteng province, saying this speaks volume about the quality of the existing academic systems and training programmes offered by the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture.
The Diploma programme offered at the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture covers a broader and scientifically detailed production training, which equips students with knowledge and skills on Agricultural Management & Information Technology, Plant Production, Livestock Husbandry and Agricultural Engineering.
The College’s alumni studies indicate that over 85% of its Diploma graduates are easily absorbed in the mainstream economy, either employed or into Agribusiness sector within the first year of graduation.
