Nedbank Partners With African Greeneurs To Empower 20 Young Agripreneurs
Nedbank Partners With African Greeneurs To Empower 20 Young Agripreneurs. Nedbank is proud to have contributed R6,5 million for 20 young South Africans through its Enterprise and Supplier Development programme (ESD) to participate in the Enterprising Africa Regional Network (Pty) Ltd (EARN) Agripreneur Development Programme, with the first cohort entering the programme in September 2023.
The programme boasts a comprehensive 360° curriculum that is created to equip young Africans with the necessary technical and business skills to develop their own profitable, sustainable and growth-oriented commercial agribusinesses.
The first 3 months of the programme are known as the Activate Phase, which begins with a comprehensive assessment and candidate selection process, followed by intensive onsite skills development dedicated to practical business experience and insight into the technical nature of agribusiness. It also includes investment readiness training and the creation of an initial development plan, which encompasses an assessment of the land on which they will be settled, as well as testing of its soil and water.
During the remaining 9 months of the programme – the Accelerate Phase – trainees gain practical experience by completing a one-season growing cycle, which provides them with commercial production experience while learning on the job. During this time, they get hands-on experience with the farm operations, infrastructure, and facilities necessary to run growth-oriented agribusinesses, as well as access to ongoing coaching and mentoring to ignite their inner agrichampion.
African Greeneurs offers a 12-month graduate on-site placement programme providing practical soil-base, hydroponics, aquaponics vegetable production, and growing methods for placement including mentorship.
