AFGRI Farmer Development (AFD) invites suitably qualified and motivated South African citizens to apply for the 2026/2027 Farming Learnership Programme. A total of 14 learnership opportunities are available at the Vastfontein Training Farm in Pretoria North, Gauteng Province.
This learnership is designed for individuals who want to gain practical experience and develop essential skills in farming, with a focus on crop production and animal farming. The programme offers an opportunity for unemployed individuals with a Grade 12 qualification or an equivalent qualification to enter the agricultural sector and build a foundation for future employment.
Position: Farming Learnership – Crops and Animals
Reference Number: AO-2494
Number of Positions: 14
Location: Vastfontein Farm, Pretoria North, Gauteng
Duration: 12 Months
Job Type: Fixed-Term Contract
Work Level: Student/Graduate
Salary: Market Related
Employment Equity: Yes
Closing Date: 28 October 2026
The programme combines on-the-job training with off-the-job learning, allowing successful candidates to gain exposure to different aspects of agricultural production and farm operations. Learners will work alongside experienced agricultural professionals and participate in various farm-related duties throughout the programme.
AFGRI Farmer Development encourages applications from historically disadvantaged individuals. Preference will be given to women and persons with disabilities, in line with the organisation’s employment equity objectives.
Interested candidates who meet the minimum requirements are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.
About the Learnership Programme
The AFGRI Farmer Development Learnership Programme is a 12-month training opportunity intended to develop practical farming knowledge, workplace skills and an understanding of agricultural production.
Successful candidates will enter into a 12-month fixed-term contract with AFGRI Farmer Development and will be placed at the Vastfontein Training Farm in Pretoria North for the duration of the programme.
During the learnership, participants will receive training in farming activities involving crops and animals. The programme aims to provide learners with all-round work experience by exposing them to different responsibilities and activities on the farm.
Learners will also have an opportunity to work with a cross-functional team, contribute to project-related activities and develop the practical competencies required to operate in an agricultural working environment.
This opportunity is suitable for individuals who are interested in farming, willing to learn and prepared to participate in practical agricultural activities.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for the AFGRI Farmer Development Learnership Programme:
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must have completed Grade 12 or possess an equivalent qualification.
- Must be unemployed at the time of application.
- Must be willing to participate in both practical and theoretical training.
- Must be available to complete the 12-month learnership programme.
- Must be willing to work at Vastfontein Farm in Pretoria North, Gauteng Province.
Preference will be given to women and persons with disabilities.
Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all information provided in their applications is accurate and that they meet the stated eligibility requirements before applying.
Duties and Responsibilities
Successful candidates will participate in various agricultural activities as part of their training. Duties and responsibilities will be aligned with the objectives of the learnership and the operational requirements of the training farm.
Potential areas of exposure include:
Crop Farming
Learners will receive exposure to agricultural activities associated with crop production. This may include learning about planting, crop maintenance, field preparation, harvesting and other activities relevant to crop farming, depending on the farm’s training programme.
Participants will develop an understanding of the importance of agricultural practices, proper handling of farming equipment and maintaining productive farming operations.
Animal Farming
The programme will also provide training related to animal farming. Learners will gain exposure to relevant livestock management activities and learn about the responsibilities involved in caring for farm animals.
This area of training may include learning about animal care, feeding practices, farm hygiene and general livestock management, according to the farm’s requirements.
General Farm Operations
Learners will be expected to participate in various farm activities and assist with duties assigned during the training programme.
These activities will provide practical experience in the day-to-day operation of a working farm and help learners understand the importance of teamwork, responsibility and following workplace procedures.
Teamwork and Project Support
Successful candidates will work with a cross-functional team to complete the learnership programme. They may also contribute to project work and other activities that support the farm’s operational and training objectives.
Learners will be expected to cooperate with supervisors, trainers and fellow participants while carrying out their assigned duties.
Please note: Specific duties will depend on the training activities and operational requirements of Vastfontein Training Farm.
Skills and Competencies
Although the advertisement specifies Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification as the minimum educational requirement, candidates who demonstrate the following qualities may be well suited to the programme:
- A genuine interest in agriculture, crop production and animal farming.
- Willingness to learn new farming techniques and procedures.
- Ability to follow instructions from supervisors and trainers.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
- A responsible and disciplined approach to assigned duties.
- Commitment to completing the full 12-month programme.
- Willingness to participate in practical farm activities.
- Ability to adapt to different tasks in an agricultural environment.
Previous farming experience is not listed as a minimum requirement in the advertisement. Applicants who are new to agriculture may therefore consider applying if they meet the stated eligibility criteria.
Benefits of the Learnership
The AFGRI Farmer Development Learnership Programme offers an opportunity for unemployed individuals to gain valuable exposure to the agricultural sector.
Potential benefits include:
- Practical workplace experience in farming with crops and animals.
- Exposure to on-the-job and off-the-job training.
- Opportunities to develop agricultural knowledge and practical skills.
- Experience working with a cross-functional team.
- Improved understanding of farm operations and agricultural responsibilities.
- An opportunity to strengthen a CV with relevant workplace training.
- A foundation for pursuing future opportunities in agriculture and related fields.
The learnership is intended to support skills development and provide learners with practical experience that may assist them when pursuing further training or employment in the agricultural industry.
Completion of the programme does not automatically guarantee permanent employment.
Programme Details
The important details of the opportunity are summarised below:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Farming Learnership |
| Reference Number | AO-2494 |
| Intake | 2026/2027 |
| Positions Available | 14 |
| Training Focus | Crops and Animals |
| Qualification Required | Grade 12 or equivalent |
| Citizenship | South African citizens only |
| Employment Status | Applicants must be unemployed |
| Contract Duration | 12 months |
| Contract Type | Fixed-term contract |
| Work Level | Student/Graduate |
| Salary | Market related |
| Location | Vastfontein Farm, Pretoria North, Gauteng |
| Closing Date | 28 October 2026 |
How to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates should visit the official AFGRI Group website to locate the vacancy and follow the application instructions provided by the employer.
Applicants should search for the Farming Learnership Programme using the reference number AO-2494 to help identify the correct vacancy.
Before submitting an application, candidates should:
- Confirm that they meet the minimum requirements.
- Prepare an updated CV containing accurate personal, educational and contact information.
- Ensure that their Grade 12 or equivalent qualification details are correctly recorded.
- Follow the application procedure specified on the official AFGRI recruitment platform.
- Submit the application before the closing date of 28 October 2026.
- Keep a record of the application for future reference.
Candidates should carefully read the official vacancy advertisement and any additional instructions provided during the application process. The advertisement supplied does not specify a direct application email address, so applicants should use the official recruitment channel to confirm the correct submission method.
Important Information for Applicants
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants who have not received feedback within 30 days after the closing date may consider their applications unsuccessful.
The appointment process will be aligned with AFGRI’s Employment Equity Policy. Preference will be given to women and persons with disabilities, while all applicants must satisfy the stated minimum requirements.
AFGRI also advises applicants that personal information will be processed as part of the recruitment process in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
Applicants are encouraged to access the AFGRI Group website and read the Human Resources Processing Notice to understand how personal information is processed.
Submitting an application does not guarantee selection, an interview or placement in the programme.
The closing date for applications is 28 October 2026.
Eligible South African citizens who are unemployed and have completed Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
With 14 positions available, this learnership offers an opportunity to gain practical farming experience, develop agricultural skills and build a foundation for a potential career in crop production and animal farming.