The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR), together with the Department of Education, hosted a two-day Agri-Teen Symposium at Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Developement Institute (TARDI) in Tsolo, last week.
This was confirmed by the Chief Director for Human and Institutional Capacitation from the DRDAR, Nomakhaya Matsheketwa.
She said it was attended by Grade 11 learners from different senior secondary schools.
Matsheketwa said the aim of hosting this event was to equip learners about the careers they can choose when they go to tertiary institutions.
“On the first day we had some exhibitions where we brought young people who are in farming in order to show them that they can also survive with agriculture.
“We want them to know that there is also technology in agriculture. We told them about the Marketing Agency in Agriculture which they can also choose because it is a career,” said Matsheketwa.
She said that on the second day they also had an excursion where they visited Siphe Development and capacitation Agency (SIDECA) owned by Siphesihle Kwetana (30), outside Mthatha.
“We wanted to show them that they can also do this. Another thing we want them to know that agriculture is not about being dirty.
“Also, it is not used to punish a learner at school, but it is one of the subjects that are needed by our society. If there is not agriculture, we cannot eat, or have clothes.
“By doing this we are trying to take away this stigma, where people think that it is not important,” said Matsheketwa.
