A new youth-focused agricultural pilot in South Africa is testing whether small-scale agritech enterprises can help address two of the country’s biggest socio-economic challenges simultaneously: rising youth unemployment and growing food insecurity.

The initiative, launched by Afrika Tikkun with support from impact investor E Squared Investments, aims to develop unemployed youth into micro-farming entrepreneurs through climate-smart agricultural systems and business training.

Hydro-Coop model combines farming and entrepreneurship

The programme, known as the Green Acres Hydro-Coop initiative, was launched at Afrika Tikkun’s Green Acres Farm in Diepsloot and currently supports a cohort of 20 young participants, including 19 women and one young man living with a disability.

Participants are operating revenue-generating micro-farming ventures using Hydro-Coop units — compact, solar-powered farming systems that integrate poultry production with hydroponic vegetable cultivation.

The units are designed to function in urban, peri-urban and remote environments with limited infrastructure while using significantly less water than conventional farming methods.

Combining skills development with live business operations

The pilot began earlier this year and combines technical agricultural training with practical business development.

Participants receive instruction in hydroponics, farm management and entrepreneurship while simultaneously running their own agricultural enterprises under real market conditions.

The initiative also includes retail partnerships with outlets such as Garden Fresh at Nine Yards in Johannesburg, allowing participants to gain direct experience in product sales, customer engagement and market operations.

Production and sustainability targets

If operational targets are achieved, the 20 youth-led enterprises are expected to produce annually:

• 22,400 chickens
• 60,000 vegetables
• Approximately 228,000 meals
• Up to 1.5 million litres in water savings

Organisers say the project is designed not only to create temporary employment, but to establish long-term business ownership opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

Focus on women and inclusive participation

Afrika Tikkun said the first intake was intentionally structured around young women, reflecting the disproportionate impact of unemployment and limited business access faced by women across South Africa.

The programme aims to improve access to entrepreneurship opportunities, agricultural technology and income generation for participants who often face barriers to entering formal employment markets.

Building scalable agripreneurship models

According to Afrika Tikkun Group CEO Marc Lubner, the initiative is intended to demonstrate how agriculture can serve as a platform for entrepreneurship, economic inclusion and local food production.

The organisation says the Hydro-Coop model forms part of a broader “Cradle to Career” strategy focused on integrating training, enterprise development and commercial operations.

One of the programme’s success stories highlighted by organisers is Debra Dagada, who progressed from agricultural training into establishing her own farming business in Gauteng after completing a plant production qualification and receiving mentorship support.

Smart agriculture gains momentum

Technology partner UrbanFarm Africa said it has already implemented more than 270 smart farming projects and trained over 7,500 people through its agricultural technology programmes.

The company estimates participating farmers have collectively generated approximately R250 million over the past five years.

Long-term expansion plans

Afrika Tikkun plans to introduce a second cohort of 20 participants in 2027, with ambitions to scale the model into additional communities across South Africa.

Stakeholders say the project reflects a growing recognition that climate-smart agriculture, small-scale agritech systems and youth entrepreneurship could play an increasingly important role in strengthening food systems while addressing unemployment pressures across the continent.