ABSA YOUTH AGRIPRENEURS PROGRAMME

PURPOSE

The vision of the Absa Food Security Programme is to support the development of urban agriculture as a catalyst for economic growth and to build a sustainable food system in both rural and urban areas. This vision is implemented through a partnership network that focuses on household food security linked to local economic development, skills development, and job creation. At present, with the challenges faced because of COVID-19, the Food Security Programme is focused on vegetable production at the household level to increase household access and create market linkages in the vegetable value chain. The outcome should include access to nutritious food, improved health, and increased opportunity for income generation. 

IMPLEMENTATION

The programme is implemented using the Garden of Life methodology which is a basic farming technique that teaches the skills of growing vegetable crops on a small scale in areas which would usually be deemed unsatisfactory for vegetable production. In addition, the intention is to enhance and expand the output from the Garden of Life to include the development of local retail access and eventually identify individuals who can be assisted at the smallholder-farmer level.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTCOMES

In the year 2022, 728 Beneficiaries from three Major provinces, Gauteng, Western Cape and Limpopo have been trained and equipped to be successful Agripreneurs. During the course of the programme, 14 training Hubs were secured and 11 site gardens were established by the beneficiaries through practical skills training..