SA Canegrowers’ training sparks small-scale grower development

Certified training funded by SA Canegrowers offers small-scale growers’ practical farming know-how while advancing employment opportunities.

The development and training of rural people to allow them to excel as sugarcane growers, or to further their opportunities to find employment tops the strategic agenda at SA Canegrowers.

One of the certified courses offered regularly by the organisation is arc welding and gas cutting – a practical and necessary on-farm skill.

Recently, 11 men and women completed the certified arc welding and gas cutting course at the KwaShukela Training Centre – Mthunzini Campus.

Agriculture Business Advisor (Amatikulu Area) Sam Khanyile said the course was important as it gave the growers skills to assist them to become better farmers. “Or they can use the certificates they get from the various courses to find employment on commercial farms or elsewhere,” Khanyile said.

SA Canegrowers’ Development Manager, Makhosazana Dlamini said:

“Skills development for growers and farmworkers has various benefits on the ground. It opens up opportunities for finding employment or even new business ventures for the trainees. 

“We believe this training will go a long way in making sure the small-scale growing community remains sustainable. They are becoming equipped in agronomic aspects for direct on-farm benefits and training such as arc welding where trainees get to expand their growers skills set.”

The course was funded by SA Canegrowers through their Grower Development Fund.