As South Africa commemorates Youth Month, the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) is calling for renewed efforts to remove barriers that prevent young people from participating fully in the agricultural sector.

The appeal comes at a time when youth unemployment remains one of the country’s most pressing socio-economic challenges. With unemployment among South Africans aged 15 to 34 remaining above 45%, and more than 60% of those between 15 and 24 without work, agriculture is increasingly being viewed as a sector with significant potential to create jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities and rural economic growth.

Land Bank Acting Chief Executive Officer Jabu Mphambo said young people are essential to the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of South African agriculture.

“Youth participation is critical to the future of agriculture. Young people bring innovation, technological skills and entrepreneurial energy that can help modernise the sector and improve productivity,” Mphambo said.

Barriers Limiting Youth Participation

Despite the opportunities available across the agricultural value chain, many young South Africans continue to face significant obstacles when attempting to enter the sector.

Access to land remains one of the most persistent challenges. Without secure access to productive farmland, aspiring farmers often struggle to establish viable agricultural enterprises or scale existing operations.

Financing is another major hurdle. Agriculture requires substantial investment in equipment, infrastructure, inputs and technology, yet many young entrepreneurs lack the collateral, assets or credit history required to secure traditional financing.

In addition, limited access to skills development, agricultural training and mentorship programmes continues to restrict opportunities for youth participation.

According to Mphambo, agriculture is often mistakenly viewed as a labour-intensive and low-growth industry, despite the wide range of career opportunities it offers in agribusiness, technology, logistics, sustainability, research, processing and finance.

Success Through Support and Mentorship

Land Bank points to the experience of young farmer Motlalepule Vincent Masiu as an example of what can be achieved when emerging farmers receive the right combination of financial support, mentorship and training.

Masiu emphasises the importance of treating farming as a business and understanding financial management from the outset. He also highlights the value of mentorship, recommending that aspiring farmers seek guidance from both agricultural and personal development mentors.

His journey demonstrates how targeted support can help young entrepreneurs build successful and sustainable farming enterprises.

Investing in the Next Generation of Farmers

To strengthen youth participation in agriculture, Land Bank continues to expand programmes designed to support emerging farmers.

One of its flagship initiatives is the Farmers Academy, which provides practical agricultural training, business development support, mentorship and exposure to modern farming techniques. The programme aims to equip young people with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving agricultural sector.

The institution is also increasing access to funding through blended finance solutions, specialised financing products and partnerships across agricultural value chains.

Agriculture as a Driver of Economic Growth

Industry experts increasingly view youth involvement as essential to addressing labour shortages, improving innovation and ensuring the future sustainability of South Africa’s agricultural sector.

Land Bank argues that meaningful participation requires a comprehensive support system that includes access to land, affordable finance, technology, training, mentorship and market opportunities.

Mphambo stressed that stronger collaboration between government, agribusinesses, educational institutions and private-sector stakeholders will be crucial to creating an environment where young farmers can thrive.

As South Africa reflects on Youth Month, the message from Land Bank is clear: empowering young people to participate in agriculture is not only a social imperative but also a strategic investment in the country’s food security, economic growth and rural development.