Agricultural learnerships offer South Africans an opportunity to develop practical farming skills, gain workplace experience, and work towards recognised qualifications. In 2026, aspiring farmers and job seekers can explore training pathways in plant production, animal production, mixed farming, horticulture, poultry production, and other agricultural industries.
The Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSETA) supports skills development in South Africa’s agricultural sector through learnerships and other learning programmes delivered with employers and accredited training providers.
For people interested in agriculture but lacking experience, a learnership can provide a useful starting point. These programmes combine theoretical learning with practical workplace training, helping participants understand how agricultural operations work.
However, applicants should distinguish between registered learnership qualifications and currently advertised vacancies. AgriSETA’s registered learnership list identifies recognised training pathways, but it does not mean every programme has an open intake in every province. Applicants should confirm available opportunities, application deadlines, and funding arrangements through official channels.
Which Agricultural Learnership Should You Choose?
The best agricultural learnership depends on your interests, educational background, and long-term career goals.
1. Plant Production Learnerships
Plant production is suitable for people interested in growing crops, maintaining fields, and understanding agricultural production methods. Training may cover soil preparation, planting, irrigation, crop maintenance, pest management, harvesting, and farm safety.
These skills can support careers on crop farms, vegetable farms, commercial agricultural operations, and other plant-production enterprises.
AgriSETA lists Plant Production learnerships at several NQF levels, including Levels 1 to 5. Applicants should choose a programme that matches their existing knowledge and the entry requirements of the provider.
2. Animal Production Learnerships
Animal production is a good option for people who enjoy working with livestock and learning about animal care. Depending on the programme, training may cover feeding, housing, animal health, breeding practices, handling, and general livestock management.
This pathway may be useful for people interested in cattle, sheep, goats, or other livestock-related operations.
AgriSETA’s registered qualifications include Animal Production learnerships at NQF Levels 1 to 5, providing different progression options for learners.
3. Mixed Farming Systems
Mixed farming combines plant and animal production. It may suit applicants who want broad agricultural knowledge rather than specialising in a single area.
Learners can develop an understanding of how crop production, livestock management, resources, and everyday farm operations fit together. This pathway may be particularly relevant to people interested in managing a diversified farm or eventually establishing an agricultural enterprise.
4. Horticulture and Poultry Production
Horticulture focuses on plants, gardens, landscaping, and related production activities. Depending on the qualification, learners may develop skills in plant care, propagation, maintenance, and growing conditions.
Poultry production is another option for candidates interested in chicken farming, egg production, and poultry management. AgriSETA’s registered programmes include National Certificates in Poultry Production at NQF Levels 1, 2, and 3.
Before selecting a programme, check its actual curriculum and workplace requirements to ensure that it matches your interests.
Entry Requirements for Agricultural Learnerships
Entry requirements vary depending on the qualification, employer, training provider, and funding arrangement. Applicants should always consult the specific vacancy advertisement.
Common requirements may include:
- Being a South African citizen or meeting the advertised eligibility conditions.
- Having a valid South African identity document or other accepted identification.
- Meeting the minimum age requirement specified by the programme.
- Having the required school qualification, which may range from basic schooling to Matric, depending on the course.
- Being willing to participate in theoretical learning and practical workplace training.
- Being unemployed if applying for a programme specifically intended for unemployed learners.
- Providing a CV, certified supporting documents, and academic records when requested.
Some entry-level programmes may accept applicants with limited previous agricultural experience. More advanced qualifications may require relevant experience, prior learning, or a suitable educational background.
Applicants should also consider whether they can travel to the training venue or workplace and meet any physical or scheduling requirements associated with the programme.
Types of Agricultural Learnerships Available
Agriculture covers more than traditional crop and livestock farming. Depending on the provider and available intake, learners may also find opportunities in:
- Farm worker and farm management training.
- Fruit packaging and grading.
- Grain handling and grain processing.
- Agricultural sales and services.
- Agricultural machinery maintenance.
- Poultry processing.
- Seed production and processing.
- Landscaping and horticulture.
- Food processing and other agricultural value-chain activities.
These pathways can help learners develop specialised skills relevant to different parts of the agricultural industry.
For a full list of registered qualifications, visit the official AgriSETA Registered Learnerships page. The list can help you identify possible qualifications before searching for an available training opportunity.
Do Agricultural Learnerships Pay a Stipend?
Some agricultural learnerships offer a monthly stipend, particularly programmes designed for unemployed learners. However, payment is not guaranteed for every course, and the amount depends on the funding arrangement and the specific learnership advertisement.
AgriSETA’s published information for the 2026/2027 funding cycle indicated a stipend of R3,000 per month for eight months for certain unemployed learners under Learnership Programme 18.2. This should not be interpreted as a guaranteed payment for every agricultural learnership available in 2026.
Employed learners may participate under different funding conditions, while other programmes may have different allowances or benefits.
Before accepting an offer, confirm the monthly stipend, duration, payment schedule, transport arrangements, and whether meals or accommodation are provided. Read the programme agreement carefully so you understand your responsibilities and the support available.
How to Apply for Agricultural Learnerships
AgriSETA explains that individual learners generally do not apply directly to the SETA for discretionary grant funding. Employers and eligible training providers facilitate funded programmes and select learners according to the applicable requirements.
Follow these steps when looking for an opportunity:
- Visit the official AgriSETA website: Go to https://www.agriseta.co.za/ and check its learning programmes, learnerships, and funding announcements.
- Identify suitable vacancies: Search for plant production, animal production, mixed farming, horticulture, or other agricultural programmes relevant to your interests.
- Check the training provider: Confirm that the provider is appropriately accredited or recognised for the relevant qualification.
- Prepare your documents: Have your CV, identification, school certificates, and other requested documents ready.
- Submit your application: Follow the employer’s or training provider’s instructions, including the correct submission method and closing date.
- Monitor communications: Check your phone, email, and other contact channels for interview invitations, assessments, or further instructions.
You can also register as a work seeker with the Department of Employment and Labour and enquire about agricultural training opportunities at your nearest Labour Centre.