Agriculture Internship Programmes in South Africa
Agriculture Internship Programmes in South Africa; Agricultural internships are an important step towards finding a job after graduation. Internships help you learn about companies in your field, help you develop your own professional working skills, and provide an opportunity for hands on experience. Learn how to apply, where to apply and all the benefits of agricultural internships.
Gaining real world experience is an important factor in finding a job. Internships are great opportunities to gain experience in the field, learn about yourself, learn about companies you might want to work for, and possibly land a job after graduation. As you move forward to achieve your dream of a career in agriculture, an internship is highly recommended.
With an agriculture internships, you will gain knowledge and hands-on experience within this industry. You will learn how agriculture works, farming, planting, dairy produce and more, depending on your intended direction in agriculture.
Companies Providing Agriculture Internship Programmes
Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery
This Government Department is responsible for import and export of products related to agriculture, forestry, and fishery. They assist in ensuring the food and produce of the country is sufficient. They aid in providing sustainability, innovativeness, and education within all sectors of agriculture, forestry and fishery.
Ideafruit
This company mainly specializes in apples and pears and products related to these two fruits. They have farming operations, cooling, and packing units, as well as export, delivery and other market-related operations throughout South Africa.
National Research Foundation
This Government body aims to develop, educate and do research within all scientific and technological areas that pertain to many fields.
Agricultural Research Council
This company does research on all aspects that can influence agriculture. They provide knowledge and support to this industry as well.
What Do these Agriculture Internship Programs Offer?
If you are planning to enter the world of agriculture, you have a wide selection of possibilities in front of you. The agriculture industry offers many possible career fields and most of them will expose candidates to the technological development in the industry, as well as the business side of things. However, that is not all, as candidates will also build their public skills, professional skills and gain hands-on experience within their field.
Career fields may include the following and more:
- Marketing
- Finance
- Farming
- Livestock
- Produce
- Packaging
- Processing
- Chemicals
- Management
- Supply Chain
- Research
- Veterinary Care
Some of the internships offered in this industry are for a 12-month duration, where others could stretch over 3 years. This industry includes import and export, production, distribution and more.
Costs Covered by Agriculture Internship Programmes
The incentives offered will vary according to each company, yet, most do provide candidates a monthly stipend during their internship period.
Agriculture Internships Requirements
Requirements will also be different for most companies. Although, there are some basic requirements that will be similar. Applicants are usually required to be between the ages of 18 and 35 to be eligible.
Basic requirements are as follows:
- Applicants must be South African citizens
- Applicants must hold a valid ID Card/book
- Applicants must be fluent in English
- Applicants must be willing to commit to the term of the internship and sign an agreement
- Applicants must hold a valid Grade 12 / Matric certificate
- Applicants must be hardworking, friendly and committed
- Applicants must not have partaken in such an internship prior to this one
Depending on the field of application some candidates will also be required to hold a valid degree, diploma or certification within their field. Some of these internships may also only accept candidates from a specific region, but this will all be stipulated on the advertisement or application. Applicants with disability are usually encouraged to apply.
How to Apply for These Agriculture Internship Programmes?
There are a number of companies providing internships in this field yearly. Candidates who are interested can find their information online by browsing through our internship posts and also in local papers and magazines as internships will be advertised when they open.
Here are some of the companies that provide internships in agriculture:
- Department of agriculture, forestry & fishery or DAFF.
- Agricultural Research Council or ARC
- IdeaFruit
- National Research Foundation or NRF
For the Department of Agriculture, candidates must complete the Government Z83 form. All applications must accompany the required documentation. All documentation must be certified copies and not the originals. Candidates who make the shortlist will be contacted.