Sowing the seeds of informal growth
South Africa has a critical scarcity of formal jobs, especially among youth. This is a blow to household income and food security, with millions living in hunger.
We believe that through our HandPicked agriskills development programme, we can stimulate local economies, boost sustainable community food production, and empower growers to shift from consumers to producers.
HandPicked is a fresh-thinking skills development programme that cultivates youth entrepreneurship in agriculture. Interns are equipped with knowledge, experience and tools to establish thriving growing hubs or pursue careers in agribusiness. They shift from consumers to producers, stimulate local economies, boost sustainable food production – and take the future into their own hands.
Financial period
2 April 2023 to 30 March 2024
HandPicked is a fresh-thinking skills development programme that cultivates youth entrepreneurship in agriculture. Interns are equipped with knowledge, experience and tools to establish thriving growing hubs or pursue careers in agribusiness. They shift from consumers to producers, stimulate local economies, boost sustainable food production – and take the future into their own hands.
Modern Skills Technology
Local Impact Modern SkillsWe select candidates from tertiary institutions and community engagements with a passion for crop production. Over 12 months, they gain agribusiness skills, life skills and hands-on farming experience, including seedling production, farm management and modern crop production.
Technology
Crops are grown hydroponically in tunnels, utilising African Grower vertical growing technology. By planting in vertical towers, using coconut coir as the growing medium, more food can be grown using less water, less space and in less time than traditional field crops. Our green-fingered implementation partner is Fresh Life Produce.
Local Impact
Whether they are based in rural or urban communities, they are empowered to create economic opportunities and run sustainable growing hubs and microbusinesses.
Support HandPicked interns today and plant the seeds to a fairer future where our youth are economically engaged and empowered.
Embrace our growing family of home growers and boost local entrepreneurship and food security. Your support will help create healthier, more stable communities.
Visit the ECR House & Garden Show and support our UpLift and HandPicked entrepreneurs. Our wastepreneurs will be exhibiting their
Five aspiring entrepreneurs graduated from our 12-month HandPicked programme in April. Agriculture presents exciting opportunities for South Africa’s young
Did you know that you can take a tour of HandPicked CityFarms Kenilworth Centre? This flourishing farm is the
Thandeka Zulu is a valued implementation partner of Mr Price Foundation’s entrepreneurship programmes She is a powerhouse with a
Our rooftop farm at HandPicked CityFarms Kenilworth Centre is blooming! Thanks to the attention of Farm Manager Akhona Gxuluwe
SPRING 2023 IS OFFICIALLY HERE – and our HandPicked programme is bursting with growth potential! At Mr Price Foundation,
Partner with HandPicked today and help shape a bold new generation of sustainable farmers. Your investment will promote local economic growth, bridge the gap between farm and table, and improve the health, wellbeing and stability of communities.
No, unfortunately not. The HandPicked programme works with agriculture students who have already completed their agricultural qualification.
Tertiary candidates should be unemployed South African citizens, aged 18 to 33, with a completed tertiary qualification in agriculture.
Applicants for the internship need to hold a completed diploma or degree in agriculture, farm management or crop management. HandPicked focuses only on crop production but we will consider applicants from other agricultural sectors if their passion lies in crop production.
No. Preference is however given to candidates who live in, or near, communities where HandPicked will be setting up agri-incubators.
We open training near sites that we are expanding into.
It’s a 12-month internship. Interns learn life skills, crop growth production, farming management, agricultural management, agriculture economics and agribusiness skills.
On successful completion of the internship, interns will be mentored on their agripreneurial journey.
Currently, candidates do not apply to us. As far as possible, we source applicants from communities where agri-incubators are to be set up. We engage with communities for suitable applicants to ensure we are working with, and uplifting, the target community.
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2022 Copyright Mr Price Foundation | All Rights Reserved | Durban Station Complex, 65 Masabalala Yengwa Ave, Stamford Hill, Durban, 4001