Upskilling and Creating fit for purpose Extension and Advisory Services
With the global changes influencing skill demands and supply in the agricultural sector with direct emphasis to technological advancements that require digital literacy, technical acumen and smart agriculture.
And the department’s mission to drive agriculture and agro-processing through inclusive partnerships, sustainable and innovative agricultural practices, promote local and international trade and biased towards commercialisation of smallholder farmers . A bold decision was made to ensure that Extension and Advisory cadre is upskilled in response to the ERP pillar of Reskilling in order to provide effective, relevant and innovative technical support and continuous improvement to commercialise smallholder farmers
This called for integrated collaborations between Agriculture Education Training and Quality Assurance (AET)and Extension and Advisory Services Directorates . Project profile , skills audit analysis , programme design and development were done by (AET) together with the custodian of Extension Services and further collaborations with Nelson Mandela Business School
This resulted to the graduation of the first cohort of 48 Senior Extension Advisory officials that completed the Pinnacle Agri- Advisors Programme at the Nelson Mandela Business School in Gqeberha (28/09/26)
Prof.Grant Freedman , the leader of the Executive Education programme at the NMU Business school said ”Extension officials must be able to respond to the ever changing agricultural landscape, may this collaboration between NMU and DOA reach its intended goal which is to improve the lives of the ordinary farmers”.
“As we drive our departmental programmes , may this Pinnacle Agri-Advisors programme move you out of your current positions into greater heights and we also see the improvement in the technical support that you will provide in our strides to commercialise farmers” said Goqwana – Acting Head of Department
DOA , Director for Extension and Advisory Services , Ms Noluvuyo Nqeno said” This programme was born out of the graduate programme initiative in NMU” adding that during the interaction the officials were very impressed with the programme and gained a lot from partaking in it.
Whilst the National Director for Extension and Advisory Services , Ms Maureen commended the initiative. “ Today we are not only celebrating the achievement but the backbone of agriculture in making sure that the people of the Eastern Cape province and South Africa are supported and there is food security”.
Ms Nomonde Mfazwe ,speaking on behalf of Cohort one said “The programme elevated and sharpened our technical, analytic and leadership capabilities to better serve the farmers and the rural community, This day also serve as the renewal of our commitment to our work” She further expressed gratitude to the department for the opportunity and its collaboration with NMU Business School.”
Ms Mthi for Cohort two said “we learnt something better like, agri- prenuership and , human capital stewardship , financial acumen, innovative practices ,artificial intelligence to identify diseases , plan planting , marketing and client engagement and climate adaptation. Morever farming is a business and we are ready to provide advise that works for the village not for the bok.”
