Mr Price Foundation’s Handpicked Programme Graduates Young Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town

Agriculture is becoming increasingly technology-driven, climate-conscious and commercially focused, and Mr Price Foundation is equipping young South Africans with the practical skills needed to participate in the country’s evolving food economy.

Through its HandPicked Agriskills Development Programme, participants are trained in areas including hydroponics, crop management, plant nutrition, pest and disease management, record keeping and controlled environment agriculture, skills that are increasingly important in a sector being reshaped by climate change, innovation and the need for greater food security.

Mr Price Foundation celebrated the latest graduates of the programme at ceremonies held in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, on 25 June and Cape Town on 2 July.

HandPicked is Mr Price Foundation’s agriculture-focused youth development programme, designed to equip young South Africans with practical farming, business and workplace-ready skills. Through its Farming Essentials and Professional Farming Programmes, HandPicked prepares young people to access opportunities in modern horticulture, commercial farming and agricultural enterprise.

The graduations mark an important milestone for participants who have successfully completed the programme and are now equipped to apply their skills in real-world agricultural environments.

“South Africa’s agricultural future will depend on young people who understand both the science and the business of farming,” says Yurissa Sawers, Programme Manager of the Mr Price Foundation Skills Development Programme. “Through HandPicked, we are equipping participants with practical, workplace-ready skills that help them see agriculture as a pathway to employment, enterprise and long-term economic participation.”

South Africa continues to face high youth unemployment while also needing to strengthen local food systems, making practical agricultural training increasingly important. Agriculture offers young people opportunities beyond traditional farming, including production, agri-processing, technology, sustainability, logistics and entrepreneurship.

The two-month Farming Essentials Programme provides foundational training for young people interested in careers in modern horticulture. Participants gain hands-on experience in hydroponics, planting, fertilising, AgriBoost application, pest and disease management, harvesting and record keeping.

The six-month Professional Farming Programme builds on this foundation by preparing participants for careers in modern agriculture, combining advanced technical training with business and commercial insight.

Both programmes combine online learning with practical experience, helping participants apply their knowledge in real farming environments. This approach is designed to bridge the gap between education and the workplace, while building confidence, technical competence and entrepreneurial thinking.

The programme forms part of Mr Price Foundation’s broader commitment to impact the lives of 500 000 young people by 2035. Investing in agriculture skills development enables the Foundation to help young people access opportunities in one of South Africa’s most important sectors while contributing to stronger local economies, improved food security and more resilient communities.

“These graduates represent the next generation of agricultural talent,” adds Sawers. “They are stepping into a sector that needs innovation, resilience and new thinking, and they are equipped to contribute in meaningful ways.”