The growing impact of the in-service training programme

We conducted a survey of past and present students recently in order to find out what their households financial position was at the time they enrolled in our programme. We learnt that for 50 % of students, the stipend they began receiving from HGA was their household’s only earned income which gives some indication as to the socioeconomic backgrounds of many of our students.

A combination of loyal support from Pannar Seed, contributions from the P. Trimborn Agency, and the willingness of our commercial farming community to give students an opportunity to gain experience on their farms, has meant that we not only have been able to help agricultural students obtain their qualifications and further their careers but also reduce the vulnerability of the families from which they come. For that we are grateful.

At this stage, 81 % (n=27) of the diploma applications we have assisted students in submitting have now been accepted with the balance still pending. A ‘pass rate’ we think we can start to feel satisfied with!  Here is a quote from one of our more recent graduates, Njabulo Makhathini: “Looking back at how I entered this program, you’re the ones who made it possible, even when our diplomas got rejected, you never gave up. Continue doing the great work you are doing! Thanks again.”